23/12/09
The initial flurry of media interest in the PR09 final determinations may have passed, but much work is still going on behind the scenes.
Companies have until 26 January to decide whether to appeal to the Competition Commission and have been looking hard at the detail of Ofwat’s decisions.
Since the final determination 'contract' lasts for five years, this is not an easy task, particularly as Ofwat’s decisions set companies the tough challenge of more investment and more outputs, to deliver more efficiently and for a lower cost of capital and lower bills.
As The View prepared to publish, only two companies had confirmed their decisions, but the situation will become clearer in the next few weeks.
Ofwat did make changes to the draft determinations but doubts remain about the balance achieved.
Before making their decisions, companies must ask themselves if the settlement will allow them to meet the needs of their particular customers and local environments; in the end, it is the companies that take responsibility for the delivery of two of society's essential services, not the regulator.
The weighting is over
Water UK comment
Contact: Rob Wesley
