The Competition & Markets Authority (CMA) has requested an extension of six months to the process that will see it redetermine the price reviews for five water companies.
The process normally takes six months; however, the CMA is permitted to request an extension of a further six months.
The CMA has now requested an extension in line with this provision which Ofwat has agreed to.
Ofwat made the five references on 18 March 2025 to the CMA for Anglian Water, Northumbrian Water, South East Water, Southern Water and Wessex Water respectively which required the CMA to report on and determine the Disputed Determinations within a period of six months beginning with the date of the references.
Announcing the extension, Ofwat said:
“Ofwat, having received and considered representations from the CMA, is satisfied, given the nature and scale of the work involved in five water industry price control references and the associated procedural complexity, that there are special reasons why the reports cannot be made within the period specified in the References and extends the period specified in the References by six months.
“The CMA therefore has a period of twelve months beginning with the date of the References to report on and determine the Disputed Determinations.”
Ofwat said the CMA had requested the extension “given the nature and scale of the work involved in assessing the price controls for the five water companies and the associated procedural complexity.”
The CMA therefore now has up until 17 March 2026 to complete its report on the references, although it may do sooner.
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