The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has provisionally cleared the way for the merger of South West Water and Bournemouth Water.

You can read more details in the CMA announcement opens in new window

The Consumer Council for Water has expressed concerns over some of the findings.

Tony Smith, Chief Executive of the Consumer Council for Water, said:

We do not think the CMA’s provisional findings go far enough in protecting customers’ interests.  Although South West Water and Bournemouth Water will report performance separately until 2020, we believe this should continue until their performance levels are much closer. It is important for customers, particularly Bournemouth’s, to see clear evidence that their services are not deteriorating because of the merger. We will continue to press both the newly merged company and Ofwat to ensue that customers receive a share of the benefits of the cost efficiencies that will be eventually realised from the merger.