TWO leading public health experts have expressed fears that North West Water's controversial pre-payment smart card scheme could lead to serious health problems - if water supplies are cut off.

East Lancashire Director of Public Health, Dr Stephen Morton and Dr Roberta Marshall, the region's Consultant in Communicable Disease Control, fear the 'pay as you use' scheme could lead to serious health problems in homes where devices are installed.

The GPs warn the risk of diseases such as dysentery, hepatitis A and gastro-enteritis could be increased - a concern already voiced by Lancashire County Council and both Blackburn and Hyndburn councils.

Though pre-payment meters are not compulsory, GPs say most of the families using them will be on low incomes - many with young children, or dependants with chronic ill health.

Dr Morton said: "It is my view that access to a clean and wholesome water supply is a basic human right in a civilised society.

"The denial of that right would have consequences far beyond the individuals and households who are immediately affected."

He added: "Were we to have another dry summer, coinciding with one of the cyclical upsurges in dysentery and hepatitis A, a public health crisis could be upon us before the health and local authorities had time to make any representations. It would be too late to stem an outbreak by the time the water company agreed to suspend the use of these devices."

Blackburn Council has already contacted water watchdogs Ofwat expressing misgivings and has invited a representative to debate the issue at a future Public Services sub committee.

Committee chairman Councillor Mike Madigan said: "We would question the ethics of introducing these devices and the council is considering the legal implications of North West Water's proposals."

A North West Water spokesman denied the introduction of the scheme would cause a health risk. She said: "As we have said before, the scheme is totally voluntary and just one of many ways customers can pay their bills."

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