Scottish Water has launched a major six month long consultation programme which will define service and spending priorities over the next 25 years.

The utility – the fourth biggest in the UK which supplies 1.35 billion litres of fresh clean water a day to its five million customers – is inviting views on its proposals and ambitions for the coming decades.

Communities and stakeholders are being asked to consider three key ambitions which it is proposed will underpin Scottish Water’s activities:

• Delivering a consistently leading customer experience
• Keeping customer prices low by driving further innovation and efficiency through smart investment choices
• Increasing the reliability, resilience and sustainability of services to new and emerging challenges

Full details of the the water company’s plans are set out in a new publication – Shaping the Future.

Customers are being asked to also consider how Scottish Water supports growth in Scotland’s economy and population through expansion of its infrastructure and networks. The organisation is also seeking views on how it becomes more resource efficient, low carbon and socially sustainable.

Issues such as the impact of climate change and the challenges and opportunities presented by digital transformation and innovation will be factors in Scottish Water’s activities.

The consultation is open until 31st August and responses will help form Scottish Water’s planning for the future.

Douglas Millican, Chief Executive, commented:

“In preparing our proposals we have researched customer views on the services we provide and have examined the trends and driver of change looking ahead towards the middle of this century. The world is changing at a dramatic pace and customers will remain at the heart of our business.

“To keep delivering a world-class water service, we must take a long term view. It is essential that we seek to understand the likely future challenges and opportunities, making the right choices to support the needs of current and future customers. “

“We are a leading utility and proud that Scottish households trust their water services more than any other consumer sector. But we are ambitious to do more and to reach a level where our services are truly reliable and sustainable for future generations.”

Twenty of Scotland’s waste water treatment works, and its largest sludge treatment centre, are currently operated under long term Private Finance Initiative (PFI) contracts.

The utility will manage the end of the PFI contracts on a case by case basis to take advantage of cost saving opportunities and manage the risks. When Scottish Water take backs control, the assets will need investment to maintain or replace them - whichever delivers the best value.

Click here to download Shaping the Future