28 February 2017 
Emma Keenan, Procurement Specialist
The UK’s retail water market is changing. From 1 April, 1.2 million businesses, charities and public sector customers in England will be able to choose who supplies their water and waste water retail services – this includes billing, water metering and water efficiency services. The intention is to create a market where eligible customers will be able to shop around, with the hope this will promote choice and enable customers to benefit from more tailored packages and better customer service. But in order for that to happen, customers need to know what’s happening and be aware of the choices they can make.
With that in mind, the three organisations of the Open Water programme – Ofwat (the economic regulator of the water sector), Market Operator Services Ltd (MOSL), and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) - are holding three free stakeholder workshops around the country ahead of market opening. The events will cover:
Events take place on two dates and locations. Both events are 09.30am-1pm and include a networking lunch. The events are Wednesday 15 March in Birmingham, and Tuesday 21 March in Leeds. To reserve a space please email Claire Nichols at Ofwat, confirming which workshop you wish to attend. You can find out about the new retail market and the Open Water programme by visiting www.open-water.org.uk.
