Ayrshire-based Cobalt Water Ltd, which currently supplies business customers in the Scottish retail market, has applied to Ofwat for a water supply and sewerage licence in order to supply customers in England and Wales.

The brief synopsis of the business plan says that Cobalt Water will integrate retail operations in the English and Welsh water markets into its current operations as a Licensed Provider of Scottish Water. “By maintaining our current high levels of customer service, operational expertise and financially prudent business model, we will trade successfully in these new markets”, the application states.

The regulator has now launched a consultation inviting written comments on the application – deadline for responses  on 14 June 2016. Further information about how to make representations or objections, including information on the treatment of confidential information, can be obtained from Ofwat.

Cobalt Water began trading in Scotland in July 2013 – a key part of its marketing strategy is to emphasise how simple it is for organisations to switch water supplier and that Cobalt will do all the work in conjunction with the Central Marketing Agency in Scotland to coordinate the switch.

Informing prospective customers that “switching your water has never been so easy”, key messages included in its offering include “great discounts and awesome customer service.”

Cobalt also points out that there is no change to any equipment or infrastructure -  Scottish Water infrastructure is guaranteed. The company says customers can expect a significantly lower price than their current supplier, commenting:

“The only change you will see is that the bill for your water services will come from Cobalt Water and will be significantly less than you are currently paying.”

Cobalt’s service offering includes water audits by professional water engineers to assess and analyse all water, waste and drainage costs.