UK CMA clears United, Severn Trent non-household JV

The Competition and Markets Authority has approved a joint venture between United Utilities and Severn Trent to combine their non-household water and wastewater retail businesses.

The new venture, to be called Water Plus will focus on billing and customer service activities and will be located in Stoke-on-Trent.

The non-household retail market in England will opening for competition in 2017, Water Plus will combine the complementary skills of both companies, including sales, customer service, business strategy and credit management.

“Bringing our businesses together will create a joint venture with the synergies to provide an efficient and cost-effective operation focused on improved customer service and growth,” the companies said in a statement.