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Reports on water companies
International comparisons - Australia The regulatory framework in Australia is generally similar to that in England and Wales. Economic regulators monitor prices and efficiency while public bodies regulate drinking water standards and environmental concerns. Each state is responsible for regulating its water sector. The water companies are state owned and vary in structure from vertically integrated enterprises to separate entities carrying out the wholesale and distribution or retail functions. The National Water Commission is responsible for driving water reform in Australia. Its website lists the water governance arrangements in Australia. The Australian companies reviewed here range in size, serving about 500,000 consumers (similar to a medium-sized water only company in England and Wales), to about 1.5 million consumers (similar to a small water and sewerage company). Sydney Water is the exception with 4.3 million consumers, which makes it more comparable to a medium-sized water and sewerage company in England and Wales. The water and sewerage sectors in England and Wales share a number of characteristics with companies in Australia, including similar mains length per property and population per connection. This may be because the 'National Performance Report' covers urban water utilities. Other aspects are noticeably different, particularly those affected by climate.  |
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