The National Farmers Union (NFU) has urged farmers to take part in a survey of mains water use.
The NFU wants to monitor the switch-over in mains water and sewerage services for businesses from the existing public supply companies to newly created retail services.
More than 1.2 million businesses, charities and public sector organisations in England stand to benefit from improved customer services, more efficient billing and water savings measures when the retail water and wastewater market opens in April 2017 – creating the largest market of its kind in the world.
The NFU is urging farmers to “be involved, stay informed” of the forthcoming chance to shop around for a water retailer that offers them the most attractive and suitable deal, instead of being tied to a regional monopoly supplier, as now.
The changes are designed to bring more competition to the water market, in the hope of bringing better value for money and delivering benefits to the UK economy valued at £200 million.
Customers will buy their water and wastewater services from newly created retailers, who in turn have bought the water from a wholesaler. Most customers will recognise a wholesaler as the large regional-based water companies whose names often reflect the geographical area they operate in.
Paul Hammett, national water resources specialist, says that the NFU is working closely with Defra, the water regulator Ofwat, and the Consumer Council for Water (which represents all water service customers) to ensure that farm businesses benefit from these changes.
“The Open Water market offers some exciting opportunities for improved water services, but we also want to ensure that the switch over in April is as painless as possible”, said Mr Hammett.
