19 November 2008
The government has launched a review that could pave the way for supermarkets and other companies to sell water to consumers.
According to the Daily Mail, the review will examine the possibility of opening up the water market to competition in the same way as the energy market.
In the 1980s, legislation was passed allowing firms to sell gas and electricity to homeowners; following on from this, the government is now considering introducing similar measures in the water industry, allowing companies to purchase water at wholesale prices from existing suppliers and sell it on to consumers.
The Daily Mail claims much a move could bring down water prices by a total of £600 million over the next 30 years, while also improving customer service.
Meanwhile, Wessex Water has been named the best performing water and sewerage company in England and Wales by industry regulator Ofwat.
© 2008 Adfero Ltd
Content for the uSwitch.com market news service is provided by a third party, Adfero Ltd. Whilst uSwitch.com makes reasonable efforts to check the reliability of this content, uSwitch.com does not guarantee the accuracy thereof or endorse the views or opinions given by Adfero Ltd, unless expressly stated otherwise.