Engineers call for changes to water pricing

Australia's engineers say water has been too cheap for too long and changes are needed.

They have released a report that addresses the urban water reform process.

Chief executive of Engineers Australia, Peter Taylor, says pricing reform is central to the way city water supplies are managed in the future.

"There is a recognition now and I think the sorts of things we're seeing in Queensland, particularly in relation to south-east Queensland, an indication that the penny has dropped," he said.

"And there is a need for proper action instead of what's happened in the past is sitting on reports and hoping the problem will go away."