Ofwat sets out its three-year plan for water services

LONDON, April 14, 2005 (GNN) -- The United Kingdom's Office of Water Services (Ofwat) today set out the work it plans to carry forward over the next three years as it prepares for its change of governance to the new Water Services Regulation Authority, according to the Government News Network.

The focus of its "Forward Programme for 2005-06 to 2007-08," published today, will be on four key areas:
* Implementing key elements of the Water Act 2003;
* Evaluating the 2004 price review and looking at issues that will affect future price setting;
* Working with Government, the Environment Agency and water companies to support the implementation of the Water Framework Directive; and
* Protecting customers' interests by monitoring water companies' performance.

The Ofwat director general is the economic regulator of the water and sewerage companies in England and Wales. He exercises his powers in a way that he judges will allow them to carry out their functions properly, and finance them.

The Office of Water Services is based in Birmingham, England. Its Forward Programme is available on the Ofwat website: www.ofwat.gov.uk.

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