Water UK, the body which represents all UK water and wastewater service suppliers at national and European level, has stated its support for Environment Minister Phil Woolas advice to customers who pay an unmeasured water bill to check if they would benefit from having a water meter fitted.

A new website has been launched to show businesses what choices they have when the water sector opens up to competition on April 1.

Ofwat has published the report it commissioned from WRc plc, the independent research-based group which provides consultancy in the water, waste and environment sectors, including to government and regulatory bodies.

Ofwat yesterday published its guidance for companies on how it will go about setting price limits for customers' water and sewerage bills for five years from 2010-15. It takes account of responses to its consultation paper published last October.

Ofwat has published its new strategy which sets out how it plans to develop economic regulation of the water and sewerage sectors in England and Wales. 

Scottish Water's right to monopolise the market ended yesterday with more than 100,000 businesses and public bodies, such as local authorities, hospitals, schools etc. now free to choose from whom they buy their water and sewerage services, in a radical move that is being hailed as a world first for the water sector.

Ofwat has today published its proposals to fine Severn Trent Water 3% of its turnover - a total of £35.8 million - for deliberately providing false information to the regulator and providing a poor service to its customers.