Water companies are making Wave

Northumbrian Water and Anglian Water’s business divisions have joined foces.

Anglian Water Business (AWB) and NWG Business (NWGB) have teamed up to create a new retailer of water and wastewater services to non-household customers in England and Scotland - called Wave.

The deal – a 50/50 joint venture – has been struck in advance of changes that allow businesses, charities and public sector organisations to choose their water retailer from the beginning of April this year.

The joint venture creates a business which will have more than a quarter of a million customers and a combined turnover of more than £500million.

Customers will benefit from the water efficiency expertise AWB has built up helping customers thrive in the east of England – the driest region of the UK – allied with NWGB’s industry leading expertise in trade effluent and wastewater treatment. This will create a strong customer offer across both water and wastewater services.

Northumbrian Water chief executive Heidi Mottram said: “The opening of the market enabling nonhousehold customers to choose their supplier is a significant moment for the industry.

“We’re very excited at the prospect of using our combined strengths to bring a new offering to customers who are abletomakeachoicefor the first time.

“We have every confidence this joint venture will create a very compelling offer.

“Our investment in customer service and IT capabilities demonstrates our commitmenttomakesurethe new market succeeds.”