The concept of introducing competition into the water industry is being explored by both Ofwat and the Government. There is a current approach of introducing competition to business customers using more than 50 million litres of water per year at one site.

In our view, the current fragmentation of water supply in the region adds unnecessary costs and acts as a barrier to the most efficient management of water resources. Putting the needs of customers at the heart of the operation is a sensible way forward.

Furthermore, we believe that a single water network in the South East controlled by one water company would efficiently allow surplus water to be moved around the region to assist water-stressed areas.