25/09/09
Press release: Water UK highlights the importance of a sustainable water industry, to consumers and communities, the economy and the environment.
Currently the industry and its regulators are tackling serious questions including:
• Ofwat price review - ensuring sufficient finance for investment
• Water resources - implementing 25-year plans
• Climate change - reducing carbon emissions while continuing to improve water quality.
Pamela Taylor, Water UK Chief Executive, said:
"Everyone accepts that sustainability requires continuing investment at a high level. But Ofwat's proposals put financial stability at risk by setting aside the long-term in favour of a short-term approach to prices. Short-term decision-making could affect service quality and prove a poor bargain for customers."
Vision
The government's excellent water strategy for England and Wales Future Water was published in February 2008. Its successful implementation may be jeopardised by harsh final determinations in the current price review.
Water UK's vision is for a sustainable water industry achieved by a commitment to:
• protecting and promoting public health
• providing a high quality, reliable and value-for-money service
• responding to climate change
• reducing our impacts on the environment
• earning the trust of the community.
Water UK Vision (pdf)
For more information please contact:
Water UK Communication
020 7344 1809 (out of hours 07833 450544)
Note
Water companies in England and Wales have invested £80 billion since 1990. Among the results are:
* Drinking water quality in the UK is among the best in the world.
* Leakage has been reduced by more than a third.
* Rivers and bathing waters are cleaner than at any time since the industrial revolution.
