Water companies will receive official notification of the new rules governing products which use high volumes of water - but it will be up to individual firms to decide whether to make metering a condition of having a power shower.

Water supplies have faced a growing strain

A massive increase in the number of home and industrial users, coupled with a series of recent droughts, has placed a growing strain on water supplies.

The increased demand for water has heightened the risk to wild life and the environment. Increasing water extraction from rivers has often been disastrous for wetland habitats vital for birds, animals, insects and plants.

Conserving supplies

Fears that water-saving reduced-flush toilets might pose a health risk were discounted by UK Water Chief Executive, Pamela Taylor.

"We are [now] satisfied that today's toilet designs using lower volumes of water do not jeopardise health or hygiene," she said.

The regulations come into force on 1 July. Similar legislation is expected in Scotland.

The changes are intended to conserve precious supplies. Metering in some areas could lead to lower bills for consumers if toilets, washing machines and dishwashers use less water.

The new safeguards will also tighten up the protection of water supplies, preventing contamination of the main supply by the backflow from industrial and domestic users.

Michael Meacher said: "The water regulations will not only protect our water supplies from contamination and misuse, but they will also ensure the conservation of water in both the short and long term.