Anglo-Scottish water retail market blueprint launched

Choice of water supplier for business customers in England came a step closer on Thursday, when initial market plans were published.

The “Market Blueprint”, put together by representatives of industry, customers, government and regulators, sketches out high-level design proposals for the Anglo-Scottish market, which is due to open in April 2017.

This, the first output of the Open Water programme, sets out how to make sure there is a level playing field between incumbent water companies and new market entrants, join up England’s system with the existing Scottish market and reflect customer expectations. In Wales, only the biggest water users will be eligible to switch supplier, as the devolved government opted not to extend competition.

Open Water programme director Keith Fowler said: “It is critical that we have a resilient sector, in which water companies are more efficient and customer focused and where water is appropriately valued. Today’s Blueprint is a critical first look at how we plan to create this.

“We are working with the sector to ensure our new design is competitive, fair, transparent and efficient – and incentivises innovation by both existing and new market participants”.

The Blueprint fleshes out the legal framework for competition set out under the Water Bill that is making its way through Parliament.

Water minister Dan Rogerson said: “The blueprint is a positive step towards retail competition in the water industry and I am pleased to see the water industry, regulators and government working so closely on the detail of how it will work in practice.

“Competition will give business customers more choice about their water supplier, leading to better customer service as well as significant cost savings for some. We should also see environmental benefits as water companies seek to attract new customers by offering better water efficiency advice.”