Setting the agenda for water

Now is the time to look ahead and lead the debate; otherwise the industry could once again find that politics and regulation have the upper hand. In this paper, we look at some of the drivers for change, with a particular focus on areas where companies and the industry may be able to make a real difference.

Resilience

Resilience encompasses the ability of clean and waste water networks to withstand ongoing changes in the climate, whether these manifest themselves in short-term weather volatility or long-term weather pattern changes but resilience must also address changes including demographics, consumption patterns, house building.

Ability to offer outstanding value for money

We have seen the issue of affordability rise up the political agenda in response to the squeeze on living standards.  This has had a profound impact on the energy sector, and although the cost of water services is a fraction of typical energy costs, the sector has been caught in the crossfire.

Regulatory framework evolution

The introduction of retail competition for large users is only two years away, and it is almost certain that further competition will be introduced, whether in some form of ‘upstream’ competition or perhaps, ultimately extending retail competition to domestic users.