LONDON, England – Veolia and Scottish Water Business Stream will team up to create a market offering for when the water retail market begins next month.
In April businesses across England will be able to choose which water supplier they use, rather than the default provider in their area.
This will enable 1.2 million businesses and public bodies in England to go shopping for new suppliers, much like consumers can for their gas and electricity providers.
Business Stream has previous experience from the water retail market, which opened up to businesses in Scotland after the Water Services (Scotland) Act 2005 was established.
However, the opening of the residential retail water market in England is subject to a further decision from the government - Ofwat has submitted its assessment to the government of the potential costs and benefits.
Jo Dow, chief executive of Business Stream said: “We know that businesses in England are taking a fresh look at how they buy and manage their water and wastewater services as a result of the choices they will have available from April.
John Abraham, Veolia’s chief operating officer – UK municipal water & Ireland, said: “Opening up the water retail market to competition offers industrial and commercial customers an opportunity to benefit from the innovation and resource efficiency Veolia and Business Stream create. This partnership with Business Stream will provide clear long term benefits to customers as together we can provide a complete retail water package which can reduce utility bills, supported by optimised on-site project engineering and operational solutions such as CHP and AD.”
###
Read more
Customers could save £8 per year from retail water market change in England
