Ofwat has granted retail authorisations for water and sewerage services self-supply licences to Blackpool Borough Council.

The licences give Blackpool Borough Council retail authorisations which is restricted to self-supply. Under the terms of the licence the Council can only supply water and sewerage services to its own premises and other premises it is directly associated with.

Blackpool applied to the regulator for the licences in January 2018. The Council said in its application that it was committed to taking the lead for water and sewerage sustainability across the borough through improved water efficiency, reduction of waste and increased utilisation of recycled water systems.

“The council says it is at the hub of the sustainability challenge to deliver, demonstrate and encourage sustainable practices not only across the borough, but across the Flyde Coast and Lancashire and it is committed to meeting that challenge.”

The synopsis of the Blackpool Borough Council business plan said it believes that having a self-supply licence gives it the opportunity to take more control over its own water use, building on its current approach to good water stewardship and cost control. Self-supply would also ensure that the close working relationship it has built up with United Utilities can continue “without hindrance” and will enable it to provide a direct customer voice in discussions with the Market Operator MOSL.

The Council has separately entered into a partnership agreement with Waterscan to take on the role and responsibility for its retail functions including meter reading, transactions on MOSL’s Central Market Operating System, wholesaler management and finding further water efficiency savings.