Overview
The Water Industry Commission for Scotland (WICS) is the economic regulator of the Scottish water industry. Our role involves setting caps on the charges that Scottish Water raises from its customers. We perform this role through a transparent and consultative process known as the Strategic Review of Charges. Throughout this process, we work in close partnership with other organisations in the water industry, to ensure that the charge caps that we set will allow Scottish Water to deliver the policy objectives of the Scottish Ministers.
The coming Strategic Review of Charges will set charge caps for the six-year period from 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2033. This Draft Determination document provides our proposed approach for how we will deliver better outcomes for lower charges, and we would expect such a package to be consistent with the basis on which customers supported Scottish Water’s Business Plan - although we are testing this through consultation.
We welcome your feedback
We are inviting customers, stakeholders and interested parties to share their views on our draft decision. This public consultation is open from 30 June until 1 September 2026.
We welcome your views on what we should consider in reaching our final decision, as well as any other comments you would like to share on Scottish Water’s business plan.
Why your feedback matters
Your feedback matters to us because it:
- plays a vital role in shaping our final decision and on the long-term future of the water industry in Scotland. This consultation is an opportunity to help ensure our decision enables Scottish Water to meet the needs of customers, communities, the environment and all other stakeholders.
- will inform our final decision on charges and expectations for Scottish Water’s performance during 2027-33. We carefully consider all responses alongside our analysis and evidence before coming to our final decision on charges.
- can help us identify where our approach could be improved. This includes highlighting risks, opportunities or alternative perspectives that help strengthen our decision and support better outcomes for current and future generations of customers.
- will help us hold Scottish Water accountable for delivering efficient and effective services in the years to come. Your input will help us ensure that Scottish Water can deliver on the commitments set out in its business plan.
Together with the customer research evidence we are considering as part of Scottish Water’s business plan, your feedback helps ensure that our decisions reflect the lived experience of people and businesses across Scotland.
To help us assess and analyse your feedback, we have developed an online consultation form that invites views on a range of key topics that will most impact our final decision on charges.
How to participate
Your feedback is key to ensuring our regulatory framework enables Scottish Water to provide high quality services at a fair price. Please take a few moments to share your views and contribute to the future of Scotland’s water industry.
Please submit your response via our online consultation form.
If you are unable to respond using our online form, you can complete the respondent form and send via email to enquiries@wics.scot or by post to:
Water Industry Commission for Scotland (WICS)
First Floor
Moray House
Forthside Way
Stirling
FK8 1QZ
We will publish a summary of responses alongside our final decision. Information about how we handle the personal data you share as part of this consultation is available in our consultation privacy notice.
After considering all consultation responses, we will publish our final decision on 29 October 2026. This decision will take effect from 1 April 2027 and will be reflected in customer bills.
If Scottish Water does not wish to accept our final decision, it may ask us to refer the decision to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) for reconsideration.