Ofwat appoints Clear Business Water Limited to take on customers of Aquaflow Utilities

9 Apr 2019 12:54 PM

Ofwat have allocated customers affected by the proposed liquidation of Aquaflow Utilities Limited to Clear Business Water Limited, following a competitive process. We have worked with the market operator, MOSL, to switch affected customers and they should be receiving information from Clear Business Water Limited soon.

Using our powers under the Interim Supply Code, we stepped in to ensure affected customers were allocated a new water retailer as quickly as possible.

Customers are not tied in to their new retailer and can still shop around for the best deal in the business retail market via www.open-water.org.uk

More information and frequently asked questions about the process can be found at on the Ofwat website.

Senior Director of Customers and Casework Emma Kelso, said:

“Customers should be reassured that they now have a new retailer in place following the revocation of Aquaflow’s licence.

“This is the first time that we have had to use the interim supply process to protect customers, and while it is always difficult to see a company fail, not all retailers will thrive and it is possible that in the future, others will leave the market too.

“There are many more retailers in the market offering increased benefits for business water customers, and we expect more to join in the coming months.

Notes to editors:

The Interim Supply Code comes into play when a licensee exits the market and there is a requirement for their customers to be reallocated.

In certain circumstances, a WSSL licensee may cease to supply its customers in the new market, for example as a result of insolvency.  To deal with these circumstances, Ofwat is required to issue a code which provides for the arrangements necessary to ensure continuity of affected customers’ retail services and appropriate protections for customers and other market participants. These are referred to as the “interim supply arrangements”.

Ofwat published the Interim Supply Code in March 2017.

The Notice of Revocation can be found here.

For further information on the business retail water market, visit www.open-water.org.uk

Customers who have questions should visit the FAQs on www.ofwat.gov.uk. If customers have any concerns about their water supply, problems or complaints, they should contact the Consumer Council for Water at www.ccwater.org.uk

Ofwat Press Office:

Email:  PressOfficeTeam@ofwat.gov.uk
Phone 0121 644 7642