the water price review

An environmental opportunity?

When water customers pay their bills, they are paying for a lot more than safe, clean drinking water. It is the responsibility of water companies to make sure that rivers, lakes, seas and wetlands are protected and their environments improved – and we pay for this through our bills. But how should we decide what prices customers should pay?

There’s much that needs to be done – but pockets are not bottomless. Hence the protracted negotiations that take place every five years, known as the ‘periodic review of water pricing’. This review involves negotiations between water companies, the environment minister, Ofwat – the water regulator – and interest groups representing consumers and the environment. Its aim is a tricky balancing act - setting prices that allow companies to invest in essential maintenance and environmental improvement, whilst ensuring a fair deal for customers.

In January 2004, just before the environment minister issued his guidance on the process, Green Alliance held a high-level seminar, with representatives from all the above groups, to examine how the Review could best help the UK to achieve its environmental objectives.

Seminar findings (pdf format - 54KB)

For further information please contact Hannah Hislop.

Acknowledgements

Green Alliance would like to thank United Utilities for their support of this work.

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