Meanwhile, I want to see some re-balancing of charges to cover business customers as well as household customers, so that there are bigger reductions in standing charges than in volumetric rates. I appreciate that standing charges give companies stability in their revenues. But customer choice and proper incentives to due economy in the use of water are more important. Competition The first of March, when the Competition Act comes into force, is getting close. In MD154 we asked companies to make available to potential competitors the principles which would govern access to their networks.
Companies generally welcome competition.
In itself this is a big step forward. Competition has brought big gains in other utilities. If a proper framework can be established for access to the ultimate monopoly the network regulation could be confined to the regulation of that essential facility. There are still hurdles to be cleared. But no one should delay.