MD 160

TO THE MANAGING DIRECTORS OF ALL
WATER AND SEWERAGE COMPANIES
AND WATER ONLY COMPANIES

21 March 2000

THE REVIEW OF THE 1999 PERIODIC REVIEW

The Periodic Review was a large and complex project. It presented considerable challenges to all those involved over a period of almost three years.

As a matter of good project management practice, I wish to review the overall approach to the Periodic Review. I would like to find out what we did well and what could have been done differently.

The overall objective will be to identify valuable aspects of our general approach and management of the Periodic Review. The review will focus on the process aspects, rather than the methodology or outcome. The lessons learned for the future will be documented and will inform Ofwat's thinking for the next Periodic Review in 2004.

The review will cover all of Ofwat's key stakeholders: its staff, customers and CSCs, companies and their reporters, environmental groups, Government as well as representatives of the city and the media. I will be publishing a summary of the results of the review by the end of June.

The field work for the review will, in large part, be carried out during March and April by an independent market research firm (MORI has been appointed). They will contact you shortly to make arrangements to gain your views.

I hope you will be able to contribute to the review and I will welcome all views. If you have any questions on the review of the Periodic Review, please contact Keith Mason, Head of Regulatory Accounts and Business Affairs (0121 625 1477) who is leading this project.

I C R Byatt