Ofwat position paper

Northumbrian Water Group PLC
19 August 2003


19 August 2003

                              Ofwat position paper

Northumbrian Water notes the position paper published by Ofwat following its
standard consultation after the company's change of ownership in May 2003.


Northumbrian Water had anticipated the proposed licence changes which will bring
the company into line with other recent licence changes in the sector. Indeed,
the company already complies with both of the two changes proposed. The company
is reviewing options to improve its credit rating and is confident of achieving
this prior to Ofwat's further review in June 2004.


Enquiries:

Finsbury                       020 7251 3801

Rollo Head
Mark Harris
Lucy Barber











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