How could water company ownership change for the better? EFRA looks abroad
The EFRA Committee will examine options for the future of water company ownership in England by questioning academics and experts on water sectors in other countries and UK nations.
There will be discussion on the performance of systems in Wales, where Welsh Water is a non-profit, and Scottish Water, a public corporation that takes loans from the Scottish government and contracts some infrastructure to companies including Veolia.
Witnesses will be asked whether a link can be made between ownership models used and performance on limiting pollution incidents and leaks, maintaining supply and value for money for customers. The panels may also be asked how other countries’ systems enable competition between providers and attracting private investment.
Meeting details
MPs may also ask questions about options such as mutualisation, a cooperative model promoted by campaigners in the UK.
There will also be discussion during the first panel about the history of ownership in England’s water sector, including the events before and after full privatisation from the 1989 Water Act and the impacts this had on infrastructure investment and the environment.