IB 06/03: Ofwat consults on new regime for installing water mains and sewers

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IB 06/03	12 December 2003
OFWAT CONSULTS ON NEW REGIME FOR INSTALLING WATER MAINS AND SEWERS

Ofwat has published two consultation papers on part of the Water Act 2003 that covers the installation of new water mains and sewers.

The new Water Act:

formalises how water companies should calculate single lump sum charges for installing new mains and sewers;
formalises the arrangements for developers who want to lay mains and sewers themselves to make agreements with water companies;
requires water companies to make a payment to developers who have installed water pipes for domestic purposes; and
gives Ofwat new powers to handle disputes about agreements to install new mains and sewers.

The Government intends these new arrangements will come into effect in spring 2004.

One consultation paper, on financial arrangements, explains how the payments and charges for new water mains and sewers should be calculated.

The second consultation paper, on disputes, sets out Ofwat's proposed approach for handling disputes, including suggested timescales for resolving them.

Notes to Editors:

1. The Director General of Water Services is the economic regulator of the water and sewerage companies in England and Wales. He exercises his powers in a way that he judges will allow them to carry out their functions properly, and finance them. WaterVoice represents customers' interests.
2. The new Ofwat consultation papers are 'Financial arrangements for self-lay and requisitioning agreements' and 'Process for handling disputes and appeals'.
3. The public consultation period for both consultations will run until 12 March 2004. Responses to the financial paper(marked 'self-lay')should be sent to Sarah Thomas, Competition Policy Team, Ofwat, Centre City Tower, 7 Hill Street, Birmingham B5 4UA or by fax to 0121 625 1379 or by e-mail to sarah.thomas@ofwat.gsi.gov.uk. Responses to the disputes paper(marked 'disputes handling')should be sent to Pauline Amor, Complaints & Disputes Team, Ofwat, Centre City Tower, 7 Hill Street, Birmingham B5 4UA or by fax to 0121 625 1359 or by e-mail to:pauline.amor@ofwat.gsi.gov.uk
4. The self-lay and requisitioning provisions of the Water Act 2003 will amend the existing Water Industry Act 1991 and it is intended that they will commence in spring 2004.
5. Copies of the two new Ofwat consultation papers are available on the Ofwat website: www.ofwat.gov.uk or from Ofwat's library (0121 625 1373).

MEDIA ENQUIRIES TO OFWAT PRESS OFFICE ON:
0121 625 1416/1496/1442

Out of hours enquiries to pager: 08700 555 500 water 503/509. Ofwat publications and press notices can be found on Ofwat's website at: www.ofwat.gov.uk

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