The announcement by the Government on 8th December that they intend to deregulate water markets to drive economic grow is great news for businesses and welcomed by Severn Trent Services. The reforms will enable a significantly larger number of business customers to benefit from the range of innovative water retail and associated site services which Severn Trent Services can offer to customers on a national basis.
Severn Trent Services has for the past 6 years held a Water Supply Licence (through Severn Trent Select Ltd) and is the only company in England and Wales to whom a customer has switched under the current regime. The process of switching this customer highlighted the importance of tackling many of the issues that the white paper seeks to address.
Severn Trent Services already offer business customers a range of water and wastewater services, including asset management, management of private pipelines — including pipe laying, maintenance and leakage detection and water hygiene services. The recommendations in the Government White Paper mean we will be able to offer these customers an increased number of services and efficient solutions across water and sewage supplies, which will lead to cost reductions, a better deal and improved service for customers across the UK.
Severn Trent Services has used our experience of switching a customer to engage with both OFWAT and DEFRA to propose changes to the current regime and so create a viable retail market. For example, this has included working with OFWAT in the development of the new Operational Code.