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253:. The resulting companies are known as "water and sewerage companies"; this distinguishes them from around a dozen smaller companies which only provide water services, which were already in private hands in 1989 (having remained in private ownership since their creation in the 19th century). The water-only companies provide water to around 25% of the population in England and Wales.
286:
Every five years, Ofwat set limits on the prices which water companies in
England and Wales can charge to their customers; this process is known as a price review or periodic review. Ofwat has carried out six price reviews so far – in 1994 (PR94), 1999 (PR99), 2004 (PR04), 2009 (PR09), 2014 (PR14)
278:, who took up his position in July 2022, replacing Johnson Cox who had held the position since November 2012. Initially taking over from Rachel Fletcher as interim chief executive in April 2021, the current chief executive is David Black who was fully appointed to the role in April 2022.
256:
Before 1 April 2006, all regulatory powers rested with the
Director General of Water Services. The staff who supported the role of the Director General were collectively known as the "Office of Water Services", which was abbreviated to "Ofwat".
265:
was
Director General until 2006 and chairman until 2012. On 1 April 2006, the Director General was replaced by the Water Services Regulation Authority. The name "Office of Water Services" is no longer used, as it had no legal basis.
287:
and 2019 (PR19). The most recent, PR19, set price limits for 2020–2025. Ofwat sets a so-called "K factor" in companies' licences which determine the average value of price rises above the rate of inflation (
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for regulating drinking water quality. Water in
Northern Ireland is regulated by the Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation, and the supply and treatment is carried out by the government-owned
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works) and expected operational efficiency gains. The most recent review was carried out in 2019; reviews are carried out every five years, with the next due to take place in
December 2024.
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The Water Act 2014 extended retail competition to all non-household customers of
English water companies from April 2017 and provided for possible future competition in
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Ofwat primarily sets limits on the prices charged for water and sewerage services, taking into account proposed capital investment schemes (such as building new
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markets. Ofwat's role includes regulating such water and wastewater markets and promoting effective competition wherever appropriate.
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221:. There is no separate charge for water for residents or companies in Northern Ireland. Instead, water is paid for by the
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532:
Hassan, John (1998). A History of Water in modern
England and Wales (Report). Manchester University Press. p. 176.
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184:. Ofwat's main statutory duties include protecting the interests of consumers, securing the long-term resilience of
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in
England and Wales were privatised by flotation on the stock market. Its duties and powers are defined by the
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Ofwat consists of a board, plus an office of staff which carries out work delegated to them by the board.
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365:(Report). London: National Audit Office (UK). 8 October 2015. HC487.
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Non-ministerial departments of the
Government of the United Kingdom
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508:"PN 03/21: Ofwat announces new interim Chief Executive"
401:. London: Ofwat (Water Services Regulation Authority)
212:
is responsible for environmental regulation, and the
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Centre City Tower, 7 Hill Street, Birmingham, B5 4UA
797:
Departments of the
Government of the United Kingdom
336:, Water Services Regulation Authority, 19 July 2012
136:Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
16:Body regulating the UK water and sewerage industry
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672:Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation
245:Ofwat was set up in 1988, at the same time as 10
1426:Water supply and sanitation in England and Wales
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419:s36 Water Act 2003 coming into force 01/04/06.
310:Water supply and sanitation in England and Wales
261:was the Director General between 1989 and 2000;
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678:Office of Gas & Electricity Markets
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305:List of United Kingdom water companies
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1002:Office of Gas and Electricity Markets
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80:Non-ministerial government department
26:Awdurdod Rheoleiddio Gwasanaethau Dŵr
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851:Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
186:water supply and wastewater systems
166:Water Services Regulation Authority
22:Water Services Regulation Authority
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124:David Black, Chief Executive
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1213:Cambridge Water Company
1037:UK Statistics Authority
1007:Office of Rail and Road
251:Water Industry Act 1991
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861:Health and Social Care
703:The Pensions Regulator
219:Northern Ireland Water
50:1 April 1989
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1137:Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water
992:National Crime Agency
957:Food Standards Agency
623:UK Regulators Network
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666:Legal Services Board
433:"Iain Coucher Chair"
193:wastewater treatment
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1266:Environment Agency
1147:Severn Trent Water
1142:Northumbrian Water
1125:Water and sewerage
821:Business and Trade
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210:Environment Agency
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916:UK Export Finance
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399:"Our duties"
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581: /
1415:Categories
566:52°28′35″N
383:29 January
316:References
270:Key people
54:1989-04-01
1238:SES Water
906:Transport
841:Education
569:1°53′55″W
405:23 August
259:Ian Byatt
200:wholesale
102:Employees
1301:Scotland
1056:Category
911:Treasury
742:Category
517:14 March
492:14 March
467:14 March
442:14 March
299:See also
231:Scotland
1388:Related
1380:(OFWAT)
1118:England
1068:Commons
876:Justice
836:Defence
754:Commons
680:(OfGEM)
241:History
233:is the
178:England
142:Website
52: (
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1012:Ofqual
717:(SSRO)
462:GOV.UK
340:9 July
47:Formed
1276:Wales
1186:Water
1022:Ofwat
722:Ofwat
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512:Ofwat
487:Ofwat
437:Ofwat
363:(PDF)
334:(PDF)
223:rates
182:Wales
174:water
170:Ofwat
168:, or
147:ofwat
866:Home
674:(UR)
519:2024
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407:2021
385:2023
342:2013
208:The
180:and
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149:.gov
76:Type
289:RPI
151:.uk
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387:.
56:)
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