Governments should encourage the capture of rainwater for use in washing and lavatory flushing, without the need for all water to achieve drinking water purity.

BBC: Harrabin's Notes: Population overload?

Italian makers of refrigerators and washing machines are pondering how to persuade the government that they need help too.

ECONOMIST: Incentive schemes

For instance, if the washing machine goes wrong, the tenants will want it replaced immediately, and you need to have the money for that.

BBC: Buy-to-let - the pros and cons