ACTION needs to be taken now to ensure future generations have a constant supply of clean drinking water, a North West water company has warned.

If United Utilities has its way, water meters could become commonplace in homes across Lancashire as it battles to conserve water against a backdrop of climate change.

United Utilities (UU) has revealed its blueprint for future water use following a report from Government regulator Ofwat, which urged water companies to begin work on a long-term plan for delivering services from 2010 to 2035.

With the North West's population expected to grow by eight per cent by 2035, the demands on water levels will escalate.

Rising temperatures will also add pressure, with summers expected to be 10 per cent dryer and winters experiencing higher rainfall, the company has said.

Experts believe the region currently has no surplus surface water, a situation which could be made worse if the weather lurches between summers of drought and winters with more flooding.

Graeme Sims, director of regulation at UU, said: "Climate and population changes are going to have a growing impact on our operations in the years ahead, so it makes eminent sense for us to look much longer term.

"The entire basis of our plan is to understand the priorities of our customers and respond in a sustainable way."

One of UU's main objective's is to conserve water, largely through cutting leakage by 20 per cent and encouraging near-universal use of water meters.

Paul Needham, principal officer for climate change at the Environment Agency, welcomed UU's proposals.

He said: "Everyone can take action now to adapt to the challenges ahead.

"Think about the amount of water you use and ask yourself what you could do to use less."

UU is also aiming to tackle the increased risk of flooding and has pledged to improve drainage systems with alterations to local storage ponds and the installation of more permeable road surfaces.