Ofwat

Advantages: Friendly, reliable service.
Disadvantages: Necessary expense.

...Dee Valley Water is based near Wrexham in North Wales and was formed in 1997 when the two local water companys from Chester and Wrexham merged. The utility services approximately 250,000 people,and comprises of more than 1,900 km of water mains, 8 impounding reservoirs and 37 water towers. It is economically regulated by OFWAT who set price limits, quality regulated by the Drinking Water inspectorate (the latest report can be accessed on the internet) and environmently regulated by the Environment Agency. There are a number of leaflets available including details of services provided, tips about precautions against freezing and leakage. The Dee Valley Water website is very informative and provides any answers to any questions customers may have. The logo is eye-catching and simple. Dee Valley in Red text and Water of course in blue... Read review

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Advantages: Clean drinking water, in some areas fluoride water
Disadvantages: Monopoly, no alternative supplier, profits before people

...Severn Trent Water is one of ten privatised water companies supplying water in the UK. It was was the Water Act of 1973 which created Severn Trent from the amalgamation of at least 25 publc authorities incuding Birmingham and Nottingham water boards. It supplies water to 8 million plus people and is regulated by OFWAT. In 2005, it was ordered to repay £4m back to customers for over-charging. Further fraud investigations and fraud allegations and substantial fines have followed. The company showed its better side when during the floods of 2007, it actively placed bowsers, in local areas. It currently operates 11 resevoirs. It employs over 12000 people and a turnover of £1.48billon, netting £269 million as after tax profits. However, like the figures above suggest, obscene amount of money is made by the company, yet it increases... Read review

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Advantages: Learn about North West Water
Disadvantages: only really useful to the North West region

...So the advert goes, North West Water or United Utilities as they are now known, supply us with one of lifes main essentials to living...Water. Due to the current monopoly on Water, we can't switch suppliers as you do with your gas or electric or your telephone. At least, not until 2005 anyway. So, if you're in the area supplied by this particular company you're stuck with them, good or bad. They're regulated by Ofwat, who step in if there are any major complaints that can't be resolved by the company themselves. I happen to think the service provided isn't all that bad, considering the area covered which is huge...2.9 million properties in north west England receive their water from United Utilities! Should you have a water meter fitted to your property? This depends on two factors. Firstly, if your property was built after 1990... Read review

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