A new website has been launched to show businesses what choices they have when the water sector opens up to competition on April 1.

The site, www.scotlandontap.gov.uk, has been built by the regulator, the Water Industry Commission for Scotland (WICS), to promote the benefits of competition for the sector. It includes details of the three new licensed suppliers – Satec, Business Stream and Aquavitae – and Osprey Water Services, a division of Anglian Water that are in the process of finalising a license application. The new tool illustrates the benefits the new competitive retail structure will bring to Scottish businesses.

Alan Sutherland, WICS’ chief executive said: “The website we have launched today makes choosing a water and sewerage provider as simple as possible.

“We want every customer to benefit from real choice.  With just over two weeks to go until the change takes effect, this tool will provide the means for Scottish customers to navigate the process and get the most out of the new framework.”

Tuesday 1 April is a landmark day for the water industry in Scotland.  From that date all businesses in Scotland will be able to buy their water competitively from a number of licensed suppliers and are no longer obliged to use Scottish Water. The new model is a first in the world and could form the template for a competitive water industry in other countries around the globe.