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KN41011

KEY NOTE WATER INDUSTRY FEBRUARY 2001

Editor: Lynsey Barker
ISBN: 1-84168-170-9

This report covers: water supply, water treatment, utilities, public water supply, sewerage services, OFWAT, abstraction, distribution, waste water treatment, spray irrigation, WSC, WOC, water and sewerage companies, water only companies,

Companies covered include: Anglian Water Services, Dwr Cymru Cyfyngedig, Welsh Water, Northumbrian water, North west Water, Severn trent Water, Southern Water Services, South West Water, Thames Water Utilities, Wessex Water Services, Yorkshire Water Services, East of Scotland Water, North of Scotland Water Authority, West of Scotland Water Authority, Water Service Northern Ireland,

Executive Summary

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This Key Note report analyses the water industry in terms of water supply and sewerage (waste water) services. The market is dominated by 10 water and sewerage companies (WSCs) and 16 water-only companies (WOCs).

In 1999/2000, the regulated water businesses of these companies amounted to £7.02bn in England and Wales — 89.5 percent of this arose from the activities of WSCs. Of this total market, the water supply business accounted for £3.35bn, whilst the sewerage business raised £3.67bn. The water industry is highly regulated. The Office of Water Services (Ofwat) is the main body which regulates licensed companies in England and Wales.

The UK public water supply in 1998/1999 amounted to 18,001 million litres of water per day, a slight decline on the 1990/1991 level of 20,361 million litres per day.

The industry has seen many changes during the past few years in terms of company ownership. Vivendi (France), Suez Lyonnaise des Eaux (France), Bouygues (France) and Azurix Corporation (US) are now owners of UK water businesses. Some of these companies are major multi-utilities which are expanding their activities in electricity, gas and other areas — such as water and telecommunications.

There are difficulties in the water industry as companies endeavour to maintain investment in order to achieve satisfactory quality and service levels. At the same time, they must cope with the price cuts required by the regulator, the Office of Water Services (Ofwat). In some cases, this is causing the sale of business units (though not necessarily water) to raise finance.

Several important current issues are raised in this report, with a major one being the move towards opening up the UK water industry. This would involve water companies making their assets available to other water companies. The Competition Act will also strengthen the case for liberating the water market. The reduction of water leakage continues to be an important issue, with further targets being set by the regulator. Meanwhile, changing weather patterns have caused damage due to torrential rain and flooding, with cost consequences to water companies.

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Text © 2001 Key Note

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