The introduction of competition into the Scottish Water industry

The Scottish Water and sewerage market for non-household customers was opened to retail competition on 1st April 2008. This development, unique in the history of the British water and sewerage industry, was the culmination of a decade-long process of industrial and regulatory restructuring in a country renowned for its attachment to exclusive public sector provision of utility services.This paper describes the process of market opening, analyzing the way in which a number of technical, political, legal and administrative obstacles were overcome. An assessment of the outcomes of this process is offered together with consideration of the scope for extending competition beyond the confines of the Scottish industry.

► The Scottish non-domestic water market opened to retail competition in April 2008. ► This paper describes and analyzes the process of market opening. ► The paper assesses outcomes, and considers the scope for extending the initiative.