Water privatisation in England and Wales

Until the 1980s, universal provision of drinking water and sewerage services in England and Wales was considered a public health service. The water industry was privatised in 1989, according to the Conservative government's programme.

The water privatisation in England and Wales involved the transfer of the provision of water and wastewater services in England and Wales from the state to the private sector in 1989, through the sale of the ten regional water authorities (RWA).[1] The potable water supply as well as the sewerage and sewage disposal functions of each RWA were transferred to privately-owned companies.

  1. ^ Bakker 2001, p. 145