Water

In 2006 we were awarded a contract to help deliver and operate the world's first competitive water market.

Our involvement in the water sector has centered on our expertise in the design and operation of industry processes, codes, multi-party agreements and systems required to support competitive retail markets.

From April 2008 business customers in Scotland had the freedom to choose alternative water and sewerage suppliers. Similar arrangements were adopted in England and Wales that allowed customers with a consumption of 50ML or more to choose alternative water suppliers. Competition was further extended in December 2011 when this threshold was reduced to 5ML.

The water white paper ("Water for Life") has confirmed a number of important market reforms in the water sector in England, culminating in fully opening the business retail market to competition. As advocates of choice we aim to support Government, Water Regulators, water companies and trade associations in preparatory activities. We provide a set of bespoke services.

Our key achievements in the water sector over the past 8 years include:

• Awarded a contract in 2006 to deliver and operate the world's first competitive water market in Scotland. We project managed and delivered the processes and central IT systems required for the opening up of competition;
• Provided background information and other sector advice and illustrations to the Cave Review Team in 2009 to aid their understanding of the administration of inter-operational markets;
• Reviewed the introduction of the Central Market Agency (CMA) arrangements in the Scottish Water Industry on behalf of OFWAT in 2009; and
• Launched a suite of Water Supply Licence (WSL) assurance products and services in 2011. We were appointed by a water company to provide third party audit and verification of a switching pilot, including a jointly sponsored paper for the industry covering lessons learnt.