Competition has driven the development of the utility industry for a number of years through gas, electricity and telecoms. It’s all about making sure that customers enjoy real choice and the best service for the right price.
Deregulation of the water industry is managed primarily by Ofwat and the Licensees to maximise the benefits to customers and protect water quality.
As a Licensee, we are able to offer water supply to eligible customers in England and Wales. Eligible customers are those with consumption on a single site equal to, or greater than 50 Ml (50 000 m3). This is currently under review and the threshold is likely to be reduced in the future, initially to 5 Ml and ultimately to all non-domestic customers.
Water can be purchased through common carriage or retail supply.
- Common carriage is where a Licensee supplies water to customers through an incumbent water supplier’s network.
- Retail supply allows licensees to purchase wholesale water from the regional incumbent water supplier to provide to a customer.
Although the origin of the water remains the same, the customer deals directly with their new retailer and receives their bills from them.
We are currently looking at other commercially viable forms of competition including new appointments and variations (Formerly called 'Insets'). This will enable us to pass on greater savings and provide the best value to our customers.
*Severn Trent Services offers supply through their licensee, Severn Trent Select Ltd.