Ofwat: domestic water competition ‘will not’ derail non-domestic

Plans to introduce domestic competition into the residential water retail market “will not” derail preparations for the opening of the non-household market in April next year.

Speaking to Utility Week, Ofwat chief Cathryn Ross insisted that “nothing” would distract companies from the importance of preparing for non-household market opening.

“The work in the non-household part of the market is proceeding apace, it’s going really well,” she said.

“I have absolutely no doubt that companies are really focussed on this, I know they’re working really hard for the April deadline and indeed for shadow market opening in October.”

Earlier this month, WRc head of water and environment Karen Wright argued that the pledge to encompass the household market was “a distraction”.

However, she stressed that the parties involved in the timetable to deliver non-household retail are “committed, they’re working hard, they’re working together”, and that she believes it will happen on time.

Ross assured that domestic competition “will not derail any of the work on the non-household part of the market”.

Ofwat yesterday published its emerging findings from its cost-benefit review of competition in the domestic retail market.

It found that domestic competition in the water market would be unlikely to deliver the levels of savings customers expect on their bills.