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PN 20/04 | 2 June 2004 |
Ofwat consults on change of ownership for Cambridge Water |
Ofwat today launched a consultation exercise into the recently-completed acquisition of Cambridge Water.
New owner Cheung Kong Infrastructure Holdings Limited (CKI) purchased the water company for £51.4 million last month.
Ofwat is inviting views on any regulatory issues arising from the acquisition, including:
- The capacity of Cheung Kong Infrastructure Holdings to be the owner of a regulated water business; and
- The need for any changes in Cambridge Water's licence to protect customers' interests.
Cambridge Water is one of the smallest of the 12 water only companies in England and Wales. It supplies water services to 111,000 homes and around 10,000 business customers in the city of Cambridge and surrounding areas of Cambridgeshire.
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. Copies of the consultation document, The Completed Acquisition of Cambridge Water plc by Cheung Kong Infrastructure Holdings Limited, will be available from the Ofwat website on www.ofwat.gov.uk or from the Ofwat library on 0121 625 1373.
3. Responses should be sent to Keith Mason, Director of Regulatory Finance, Office of Water Services, Centre City Tower, Hill Street, Birmingham B5 4UA (fax: 0121-625 3609), or by e-mail to keith.mason@ofwat.gsi.gov.uk to be received no later than 5.00pm on the 14 July.
4. Ofwat will place all responses in the Ofwat library at the end of the consultation period.
5. Prior to the acquisition, CKI did not control any water company in England and Wales. The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry is not, therefore, required to refer the acquisition to the Competition Commission as a merger of water companies under the Water Industry Act 1991.
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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