Are They Flushed With Pride?

Droughts are looming in the South-east and East of England. It's been claimed that Australian-style water labelling must be rapidly introduced to the UK to cut its high (by European standards) domestic water consumption. Water labelling on toilets and showers has slashed water use in Australia and saved its bill-payers money (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/aug/30/water-usage-uk-label-showers-toilets-drought). Water labelling, given climate change, seems a 'no-brainer' for the UK. One must, however, take issue with a linked claim. It's said that UK water bills will have to have billions of pounds added to them. This is because the privatised Water Companies will have to 'invest' in new infrastructure to deal with environmental challenges. Nobody's doubting that new infrastructure is sorely needed. For decades, however, the Water Companies have 'blown' their profits on dividends for shareholders and eye-watering bonuses for their CEOs. Some of this money could (and should) have been invested in new infrastucture. It can't be claimed, the Water Companies have only just discovered they have been largely working with Victorian (the Queen not the Australian state!) equipment.