PN 08/06: Water industry in England and Wales compares well with international counterparts

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PN 08/06	28 February 2006
Water industry in England and Wales compares well with international counterparts

Water Industry performance in England and Wales compares favourably with water companies in other developed countries, according to an Ofwat study published today.

The report compares the performance of the 22 companies in England and Wales with a range of water enterprises in Scotland, Northern Ireland, Scandinavia, the Netherlands, Australia and the United States in the year 2003-04.

The conclusions drawn from the 'International comparison of water and sewerage service 2006 report' show that generally companies in England and Wales perform as well as or better than their international counterparts.

Some of the key findings from the report were that:

Bills for domestic customers in England and Wales are in line with those of customers in most other developed countries;
England and Wales have made steady improvements in the quality of bathing waters and have one of the highest compliance rates in the European Union;
In 2003, companies in England and Wales generally achieved better water quality compliance than their counterparts in Scotland and Northern Ireland, although all companies and authorities have seen some improvement over the last five years;
Our customer service measures are among the most comprehensive in the world. Where we are able to make comparisons, customers in England and Wales receive levels of service at least equal to those in other countries; and
Costs per property are broadly similar in England and Wales, the Netherlands and Australia.

Director of Network Regulation, Melinda Acutt, said:

"While water service ownership and regulation differ across the world, all customers want an efficiently run company that seeks to minimise prices and provide good levels of customer service.

"Our report shows that, for comparable or lower costs, customers in England and Wales receive a level of service that is as good as, or better than, that provided by water enterprises in other parts of the world."

Notes to Editors:
1. The Director General of Water Services is the current economic regulator of the water and sewerage companies in England and Wales. He exercises his powers in a way that he judges will allow them to carry out their functions properly, and finance them. His duties include protecting the interests of consumers, wherever appropriate by promoting effective competition. He will be succeeded by the Water Services Regulation Authority on 1 April 2006.
2. The 'International comparison of water and sewerage service report 2006' largely covers the period 2003-04 because of delays in publishing international data. It is available on the Ofwat website, www.ofwat.gov.uk, and from the Ofwat Library on 0121-625 1373.

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