How does it affect me?

Scottish Water still owns and operates the network of water and sewerage pipes. It therefore continues to be responsible for:

• meeting environmental standards;
• maintaining water quality; and
• delivering defined levels of service.

At no point will public health be jeopardised as a result of competition. Wholesale prices will still be regulated and will rise by 1.5% below inflation – at the most – each year until 2010. This means that customers will not pay any more than they would have done if competition had not been introduced. In many cases customers may pay less.

The introduction of competition means that suppliers can attract and retain customers by:

• providing a higher standard of service;
• offering tailored services;
• controlling costs; and
• improving value for money.

In turn suppliers also may apply pressure to Scottish Water to control costs by innovation and to improve efficiency.