Businesses are not ready for water deregulation changes

The vast majority of Lancashire businesses are unaware of the imminent deregulation of the water industry, says an insider expert.

However, research by energy procurement specialist Businesswise Solutions has found that suppliers and customers are ill prepared for the changes.

Businesswise Solutions held a water and energy event held at The Lowry Hotel, and only five people out of an estimated audience of 75 admitted to being ready for the biggest reform the UK water market has ever seen.

He explained: “Until now many businesses have paid little attention to their water usage and costs, but with deregulation turning on the tap to new entrants and extra competition among suppliers, consumers are now in the perfect position to take control.

“Yet, as we suspected, not many companies are aware of the markets changes, or they are aware of the move but don’t know how to start acting upon it.”

He said: “No one could put me through to the department required, I was given a generic info@ email address to send a message to from some supplier companies and told someone would ring me back for others; I got no response at all. “Our advice at this stage would be to get your house in order in preparation for the tender process and work with a partner who you feel will help you take advantage of the market.”