Making Sense of Water Deregulation
The 2017 Water Industry Deregulations transformed how organisations procure water services, offering procurement managers new opportunities to optimise costs and efficiency.
We explore the reasons behind deregulation, why it benefits your organisation, and how Dukefield Energy can simplify water procurement for educational institutions and public sector organisations alike.
Why Did the Water Industry Deregulate?
The primary goal of deregulation was to introduce competition and greater choice in the water market. Previously, organisations were tied to a single regional provider based solely on their location. This monopolistic setup often led to inefficiencies, lack of innovation, and limited consumer options.
By deregulating the industry, policymakers aimed to create a more dynamic and customer-focused marketplace. Eligible organisations could now select their water retailer from a range of licensed providers, breaking free from geographic restrictions. This change encouraged innovation, improved efficiency, and raised the standard of consumer services.
Before deregulation, regional water companies handled both wholesale operations (such as water provision and treatment) and retail services (like billing and customer care). With deregulation, these roles were separated. Wholesale operations remained under regional companies, while retail services became open to competition.
What Does Deregulation Mean for Your Organisation?
Deregulation has brought about notable benefits:
Greater Choice: Organisations can now compare providers to find the one that best suits their needs.
Tailored Solutions: Retailers offer bespoke services, addressing specific requirements for efficiency and sustainability.
Improved Value: Competition among retailers has led to better pricing and service levels.
However, navigating a competitive marketplace to achieve an efficient and tailored solution for your water needs can be difficult. With numerous providers vying for your business, it’s essential to make informed decisions to maximise these benefits.
How Dukefield Energy Can Help
At Dukefield Energy, we make water procurement simple and efficient. As the contracted authority for the National Education Framework (hosted by the University of Essex), we provide a compliant route to market for water and wastewater services. Lot 3 of this framework covers the following:
Supply of metered and unmetered water
Metered and unmetered wastewater
Trade effluent and ancillary services
Additional benefits of procuring water via Dukefield Energy.
Advanced Metering and Billing
Our framework supports Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) rollouts, ensuring billing accuracy and simplifying meter readings.
Engineering and Efficiency Support
We provide engineering site visits to identify opportunities for cost and resource efficiency.
Expert Account Management
When you procure a water contract through Dukefield Energy, you’ll benefit from:
Cost Savings: Switching to a new contract or deemed rates can yield significant benefits.
Dedicated Support: Water Plus Limited, the single supplier on Lot 3, assigns a dedicated account manager to help you identify services that align with your sustainability goals.
Simplified Processes: A Key Account Executive handles day-to-day billing queries and interactions with wholesalers on your behalf.
Ready to Unlock the Benefits?
Whether you’re looking to reduce costs, enhance sustainability, or simplify your water procurement, Dukefield Energy is here to help. Our expert team and established framework make navigating the water market simple.
Stay ahead by making informed water procurement choices. The opportunities created by deregulation are waiting to be unlocked—let us help you benefit from them.
Contact us today to learn more:
info@dukefieldenergy.co.uk
0345 4022 461