Ofwat
Site last updated on 17 May 2013
The economic regulator of the water and sewerage sectors in England and Wales
Ofwat (The Water Services Regulation Authority) is the economic regulator of the water and sewerage sectors in England and Wales. We are here to make sure that the companies provide household and business consumers with a good quality service and value for money. Find out more about us, and about the water and sewerage sectors.
Hot topics
Consultation on business planning expectations
As part of the process of setting price controls in 2014, companies need to develop business plans which set out how they intend to provide services to customers and meet their obligations – and the prices they want to charge. We are now consulting on the information we will want the companies to include in their plans and how we will assess those plans. Find out more in Setting price controls for 2015-20 – business planning expectations.
Help from water companies for customers needing special assistance
Because of age, disability or illness, some customers may need extra help in the way that they receive your water and sewerage services. We set out guidance to companies on the services they should offer, so that customers are not at a disadvantage compared with other customers, because of their age, disability or illness. These additional services include password schemes to prevent bogus callers, issuing bills in different formats, and making special arrangements for emergency contact.
If you, or someone you know, would benefit from these kinds of services you should contact your water company for more information.
Protection for people who buy water from a reseller
Some customers pay their landlord, mobile-home site owner or any other person or company (the reseller) for water or sewerage services, rather than paying the water company direct. If this applies to you, you are protected by the rules in the Water Resale Order. These say that you can only be charged the amount the reseller is charged by the water company plus a reasonable administration charge. Find out more about water resale.
