THE country's top drinking water watchdog today voiced concern about Yorkshire Water's parent company's plans to sell its assets back to its customers.

Michael Rouse, the chief drinking water inspector, said the proposal by Kelda to split the water company's asset ownership and asset operation raised questions which must be addressed - adding it would remove the operating company's direct responsibility for drinking water quality.

Speaking in Leeds Mr Rouse reinforced three concerns from the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI):

That separating responsibility for drinking water quality from operations would complicate how regulatory information was made available and how companies respond to DWI enforcement action

Only licensed water undertakers can be prosecuted for supplying unfit water - under the Kelda proposals this would be the "mutual" and the operating company would no longer be subject to criminal liability for its failures

There is a risk that separating ownership from operations could lead to inadequate maintenance and a deterioration in drinking water supply.

Mr Rouse said: "It is vital that effective regulation remains in place to protect public health and ensure that drinking water quality standards are met. It would be unacceptable to consumers if DWI could not take effective enforcement and prosecution actions."

But Richard Emmott, Kelda's head of communications, said: "Exactly the same safeguards on water quality will exist under the proposal as exist now. There is no change to the regulatory regime. The DWI will still be able to prosecute Yorkshire Water for any failings in water quality. We believe this proposal makes regulation clearer and more transparent. There is no evidence that our proposal could lead to any inadequate maintenance or deterioration in water drinking quality."

Meanwhile campaign group Water Watch has called for a longer consultation period for the public and others to comment on the plans.

Its campaigns officer, Peter Bowler, said: "The plan to sell Yorkshire Water back to its customers affects everyone in Yorkshire. It is vital that everybody has a proper chance to make an informed comment on the future of the county's water industry."

The deadline for comments to regulator OFWAT is July 17.

andrew.hitchon@ycp.co.uk