WATER INDUSTRY JOURNAL DECEMBER 2016
WELCOME z
Welcome
Shaping up to a new landscape
H
ello and welcome to an exciting new publication for the water industry. The Water Industry Journal contains a wide range of news and views and we are certainly not short of things to write about because the magazine comes out at a time of great change for the industry. Of course, that is nothing new. The water industry has always existed in a world of change with increasing regulation, stricter environment rules and ever sharper scrutiny of how it operates bringing about a constant stream of challenges. However, the Water Industry Journal comes out at a time which is unprecedented and the key reason are two words that mean a massive amount of change and uncertainty - Brexit and competition.
John Dean The Referendum vote in June sent shockwaves
Editor in chief
through every industrial sector and the water industry is no exception.
As Tony Williams, Chairman of British Water, says in his thought-provoking piece in this edition of the magazine ‘although the decision to leave the European Union caused a certain amount of shock in the UK water industry this was quickly followed by the realisation it is important to work with the result and there is a great amount of work to be done’. Much does need to be done and all against a backdrop of uncertainty. As Tony makes clear, the situation is changing week on week and there is still considerable uncertainty about what Brexit will mean in terms of water regulation, agricultural policy, environmental standards and business overseas. Tony points out that the vote could also herald opportunities for the water industry. British water industry expertise is respected the world over and the trade negotiations which the UK Government will lead in the years to come could well open up new opportunities for our companies. Competition is also going to change things, as Nick Baker, managing director at specialist
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outsourcer Echo Managed Services, points out in another thought-provoking piece in this edition of the magazine. He warns that ‘evolving and uncertain times in the water sector mean companies may soon face an uphill battle to maintain customer loyalty, retention and trust. Many water companies are already working hard to put processes in place to ensure they stay ahead of the competition as non-household market opening draws ever closer.’ Nick points out that companies will have a close eye on the possibility of household competition, maybe as early as 2020, and will be starting to think about ways to a gain that all important competitive advantage. As his article points out, getting the billing process right in this new-look world will go a long way to ensuring a bright future for our water companies in this competitive landscape. Amid all the talk of regulation, reform and political change, we also pause for thought to contemplate the raw material that drives us all – water. Water is crucial to life but it can be easy to take it for granted. We turn on the tap and there it is. However, it is not like that for everyone so we take a look at the work of Water Aid, which works worldwide to bring safe water to communities, supported by hundreds of non-governmental organisations, government agencies, academic institutions and private companies, including in the water sector. Now, for the first time ever, nine out of ten people in the world have safe water to drink and use for cooking, washing, and growing food. And every year, 78 million people turn on a tap or use a pump for the first time. That is something of which we can all be proud but there is still work to be done and our piece reminds us that, as in industry, we can play a crucial role improving lives. john.dean@distinctivepublishing.co.uk