AT LAST someone has woken up about solar panel water heating.

I have had my own panel working for 12 years and it has only cost pence, installed for less than £300 using second-hand materials freely available except the panels themselves, has no valves or thermostats, needs no electricity and is 100% self controlling.

Last summer it supplied nearly all our hot water for baths, showers, washing, sink and hand wash basin, also the dishwasher.

Equally, now is the time for water boards to do something about the inevitable water shortage in the next decade.

We are sending a colossal amount of water back to the sea as fast as possible at the expense of our underground water reserves.

While the rivers are running high these reserves could be increased by draining off to a pre-determined level, with an adjustable barrier, into an arrangement similar to the present cesspit where no sewer is present. An outflow at planned level above the bottom of the pit would trap sand and mud for removal leaving more or less sediment-free water to disperse by porous piping.

Daft? So was my plea for production of electricity at the Elan Valley and wind generation on our hills 40 years ago! Daft again? Time will tell.

G F LEWIS,

Auberrow, Wellington.