Water service, British do it better? Lessons learnt from the English case

The recent events affecting some water companies in England and Wales has put the entire sector in the spotlight raising questions around Government choices made nearly 40 years ago (privatisation and regulation) and their effectiveness. In the public debate therefore more than one voice is asking whether the industry set up is still fit for purrpose. Italy started an industry reform nearly 30 years ago that has not been rolled out completely leaving some parts of the country without a company provding water services. However the operating context for water companies in Italy is dramatically changing because of climate change. Inevitably this will require some thinking around whether completing the application of the reform of some 30 years ago is sufficient or an altogether new approach is required. More generally the english case provides important inisights into key regulatory challenges beyond the water sector (role played by different type of ownership, increasing investment needs, adequate returns and affordability for customers ecc) that are being discussed by the Italian regulatory community (e.g., introducing new regulation-ROSS-in the energy sector). In this context the seminar aim is to try to distill key lessons from the English case that can be used as a guide for the Italian reform and overall regulatory thinking. 

PROGRAM 

Introduction 
Giordano Colarullo – General Manager Utilitalia 

The Italian context 
Gaia Rodriquez – Regulation Affairs Area Utilitalia 

Discussion panel 
Colm Gibson - Managing Director in BRG’s London Office 

Catherine Waddams - Member of the Centre for Competition Policy (CCP) and Emeritus Professor in Norwich Business School 

Concluding remarks 
Rosario Mazzola – University of Palermo