From 1 January 1999, Mid Southern Water and South East Water will be operating as one water supply company, under the name South East Water Plc.

This is the final stage in the process of bringing the two companies together, following the granting of a single licence by OFWAT in November last year.

Operating as one company will lead to efficiency savings which South East Water aims to pass on to all its customers in the year 2000. The company's 12 High Street shops will all remain, whilst the head office relocated to Eastbourne in 1998.

The name South East Water was chosen as this best reflects the company's geographical supply area (Sussex, Kent, Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire). In addition, customer research indicated the name Mid Southern Water was more often confused with that of Southern Water, which looks after waste water services in part of the region.

Customers will receive further information in due course, and should be reassured that the service levels, recently awarded the coveted star status by OFWAT, will continue to be of a high standard. The only change is the company name.

Managing Director Ray Tennant said:
We now have a more efficient and streamlined organisation, which will continue to deliver the kind of service our customers have a right to expect. We are ready to move into the new millennium with confidence and take on the challenges facing the water industry as a whole.

For further information, please contact the South East Water press office on 01323 413254 or 0411 893 642.