Recently we have been warned of water shortages and told this is the result of low rainfall.

But as two articles on facing pages of News Shopper, March 15, demonstrate, the picture is more complex that that.

Insufficient rain is just one reason. Others are Thames Water's notoriously poor record in getting to leaks and dealing with them promptly, as highlighted by the example in Downham Way, and the ever-increasing number of people living in this area, as shown by the example in Madeira Avenue, Shortlands.

If more people are to live in south-east England, we need better national methods of ensuring water supply is even across the country.

These days there is no need whatsoever for water shortages in England. It's just a question of money and in a privatised industry it will be the householder who suffers.

The problem will not go away as future rainfall levels are unpredictable while the drive to knock down old houses and put up blocks of flats continues unabated.

Bromley Council is to be commended on taking a stand against the excessive housing density in the borough, but national action is needed.

Mark Stickings Bromley