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The Water Industry Commission for Scotland (WICS) is running four specialist seminars to raise awareness among businesses in Scotland, England & Wales that the water market in Scotland has been opened up to competition.
The seminars follow the launch of a new competitive structure that allows over 130,000 businesses and public bodies in Scotland – from corner shop to multi-national conglomerate – to choose where they buy their water from - a world first for the water sector. The seminars, which take place in Glasgow, Edinburgh, London and Manchester, will give businesses a chance to see how the new change will affect them.
Four suppliers have now been licensed to provide services to Scottish businesses and public bodies – Satec, Aquavitae, Business Stream and Osprey Water Services – and all will be present at seminars in Manchester, London, Glasgow and Edinburgh to give potential customers details on their service offerings.
Alan Sutherland, Chief Executive of WICS, said:
“These changes will bring improved services and competitive pricing. Scotland is leading the world in the introduction of a competitive framework for the water and sewerage sector and we want every business and public body with interests in Scotland, from the smallest corner shop to an international conglomerate, to know that they could benefit from the changes. "
All business customers and public bodies are now eligible to switch water companies by making a phone call to their new chosen supplier. The rest of the process will be handled by the new supplier together with a new independent industry body, the Central Market Agency (CMA). Apart from a competitive pricing policy, new licensees may offer a range of additional services including single source billing, water saving measures, leakage reduction, quality and consistency of supply, and fast reaction response. Environmental advice such as the use of grey water or off-peak pumping services, and individually tailored solutions that are geared to each user’s needs, may also be accommodated. More information is available at www.scotlandontap.gov.uk.
Formerly known as Scottish Water Business Stream, Business Stream became a stand alone company within the Scottish Water group in November 2006 in preparation for market opening on 1 April 2008. From 1 April 2008, Scottish Water remains the wholesale supplier of water and sewerage services in Scotland. Licensed service providers will buy wholesale services from Scottish Water and retail the services to business customers. All business customers and public bodies, including local authorities, hospitals and schools, are eligible to switch water companies.
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