30/09/10
The past month has seen much discussion of the central themes of the water industry policy blueprint, Meeting Future Challenges.
At a Water UK stakeholder roundtable on how we can put customers first by giving them more say in key decisions, especially for price-setting, CCWater set out their vision of consumer-led regulation. The following day, Ofwat held a breakfast briefing on customer engagement, sharing some thoughts on how negotiated settlements could work in water.
There is much to resolve, but a growing sense that the time is right for all stakeholders to work together to give customers a greater role.
Meanwhile, a well attended meeting of the House of Commons All Party Parliamentary Water Group has also discussed the blueprint.
Anne McIntosh MP (co-chair of the group and chair of the Efra Select Committee) welcomed Conservative, Labour and Lib Dem colleagues – as well as stakeholders, including Defra, Ofwat, the Environment Agency and CCWater.
There was particular interest in transfer of private sewers, responsibility for sustainable urban drainage systems – SUDS, leakage, and the environment.
