Consumer Council for Water

The Consumer Council for Water (CCWater) represents water and sewerage consumers in England and Wales. It took over from WaterVoice on 1 October 2005. CCWater is the statutory water consumer body, and operates as a non-departmental public body reporting to the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. At regional level, it is supported by five regional committees of between six and twenty members within England and one for Wales.

The Consumer Council for Water builds on the service previously provided by WaterVoice. The new organisation has extra duties and more power than its predecessor, which represented consumers from within the regulatory structure of Ofwat. For example, the CCW can publish water and sewerage service information and has powers to request information from water companies and Ofwat. Furthermore, under the Water Bill 2003, Ofwat are subject to a new duty to consult the CCW prior to implementing any key regulatory decisions.

CCWater’s intention is to champion the voice of the water-consumer by making consumers’ views heard and influencing and scrutinising the work of decision makers. They also operate a ‘campaign for change’ to achieve best value for all consumers. CCWater also promote best practice by influencing the water industry to improve service delivery to consumers. They also have similar responsibilities to WaterVoice in regards to resolving complaints and achieving fairness for individual consumers and across the market. Furthermore, CCWater are engaged in research to seek and understand the views of the public. CCWater also aim to educate by building existing and future consumers’ knowledge by providing advice and information, raising awareness and influencing behaviour.

Useful links:
www.ccwater.org.uk