Investing in Water Services and Paying for Water Services
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Investment in the Water Industry
The Scottish Water Industry delivers essential services for the people of Scotland. In providing water and sewerage services to more than 5 million people in 2.2 million homes and businesses the industry plays a vital role in maintaining the health of the nation and the quality of our environment.
Scottish Water was established to bring significant improvements to the quality and efficiency of Scotland's water services. Investment is a key element in the strategy to create an efficient, modern, publicly-owned water and sewerage industry. It secures the future of the industry and ensures that our drinking water remains safe and clean, that sewage is properly treated before being discharged into our seas and rivers, and that we improve the performance of the network for the benefit of our customers.
What investment is being undertaken now?
The Scottish Executive and Scottish Water customers through the charges they pay are currently financing a 1.8 billion capital programme to upgrade Scotland's water and wastewater networks. This investment programme, known as Quality and Standards II, amounts to 350 for every man, woman and child in Scotland.
This investment has already started to deliver better quality drinking water, a cleaner environment (eg beaches, rivers and bathing waters) and better customer service (eg in addressing burst water mains and sewer flooding). Specific examples include: major new water treatment plants in Inverness, Invercannie and Erskine; major new treatment works at Loch Katrine (serving 700,000 people in and around Glasgow); significant improvements to the quality of treatment and increased capacity at Phillipshill Waste Water Treatment Works in East Kilbride; and a substantial programme of mains and sewer replacement. More information about the types of investment underway is available from the Scottish Water website: www.scottishwater.co.uk.
How is the new investment programme being developed?
The current investment programme runs to March 2006 and there is a need to put in place a new programme to tackle future improvements. The new programme _ Quality and Standards III _ will cover April 2006-March 2014. Working in partnership with a range of stakeholders (see below), a number of working groups have been established to investigate different aspects of the investment needs of the water and wastewater services. Together these groups will advise Ministers of the types and costs of investment required to:
- keep the water and wastewater system working effectively;
- address new public health and environmental standards;
- address improved customer services standards; and
- provide capacity for new development.
The size and composition of the investment programme will impact upon the service you receive and the charges you pay.
Who is involved in developing the new investment programme?
The Q&S III Project is supported by many organisations. These include Scottish Water, the Water Customer Consultation Panels and the industry's Regulators _ the Scottish Environment Protection Agency; the Drinking Water Quality Regulator; and the Water Industry Commissioner.
Other organisations who have been directly involved from the start of the project include: CBI; COSLA; Scottish Consumer Council; Homes for Scotland; Scottish Federation of Housing Associations; Communities Scotland; and Scottish Natural Heritage.
Paying for Water Services
Alongside the consultation about investing in water services, the Scottish Executive is also consulting on how different customer groups can contribute fairly to meeting Scottish Water's costs. This consultation, "Paying for Water Services 2006-2010", will seek views on principles to underpin how charges are shared between the various customer groups. The outcome of this consultation will inform Ministers' decisions on the principles to be applied in setting future charge schemes.
How can I get involved?
Decisions about the new investment programme will have an impact on the quality of service you receive from Scottish Water in the future and the charges you will be asked to pay. These decisions must be informed by and reflect your views. The Scottish Executive will therefore publish two consultation documents in the summer of 2004: Investing in Water Services and Paying for Water Services. Scottish Ministers would like as many people as possible to respond to these consultations so that they can take proper account of everyone's views.
To obtain a copy of either or both consultation papers, please contact us by any of the following methods:
Investing in Water Services
by phone: 0131 244 0238
by email: q&s3@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
by post: Business Reply
(you may use the slip provided here)
Quality and Standards III
Scottish Executive
Water Services Division
Mail Point 8
Area 1-H
Victoria Quay
EDINBURGH
EH6 6ZQ
Paying for Water Services
by phone: 0131 244 5099
by email: payingforwaterservices@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
by post: same address as above
