30/06/10
UK water companies have worked together to produce 'Meeting Future Challenges: a blueprint for policy action'. For the first time, the industry sets out shared priorities for policy change.
The core challenges are: pollution and water quality standards; managing surface water, flooding and coastal erosion; water resources management and affordability; reducing greenhouse gas emissions; and adapting to climate change.
With a new government in place, and a round of price reviews just completed, there is now a window of opportunity to take the necessary action. There is also an appetite for reform, in water and in other regulated sectors too, including energy, telecomms and transport. And independent reviews – of water competition and innovation, and charging for water services – have added momentum to the call for change.
There is no time to lose, however, if the benefits of change are to influence the next round of price reviews and asset management plans.
Priorities for action in the industry blueprint are:
• more customer involvement in prices and investment
• renewal of incentives for sustainability
• more flexible regulation to encourage innovation, and
• more sustainable access to capital markets.
Water companies propose policy overhaul in face of economic end environmental challenges
A two-year window for water regulation
Water UK comment
Contact: Dawn Waterman
