Ł1.4 billion environment and service investment programme for the east of England

Anglian Water expects to invest some Ł1.4 billion in the east of England over the next five years. The investment programme will focus on building new and improved treatment plants, pipelines and sewers to improve customer service and enhance the environment.

Roy Pointer, Anglian Water Services managing director, said: “Anglian Water is looking to build on success. Our customers have told us that the environment is a high priority, so we are responding by investing more money in water facilities, sewers and sewage treatment to protect our rivers, waterways and other wildlife habitats. The investment in pipe networks will meet the anticipated growth in demand from new housing and industry in the region.”

“Average bills in the Anglian Water region are also due to fall this year, so we have adopted innovative ways of managing water and wastewater services in order to achieve our twin goals of world class service and lower bills for customers.”

Roy Pointer said that Anglian Water’s track record in capital investment since privatisation had led to many leading achievements, including:

 the lowest water leakage rate in the UK
 40 per cent improvement in river water quality across the region
 18 bathing beaches achieving Blue Flag quality water (none in 1989)
 an average real terms reduction of Ł36 in customers’ bills in the past three years
 winning four out of the six competitive contracts awarded to date to supply water and wastewater services outside its traditional area, making Anglian Water the leading pro-competition water company
 launching an e-business service, Anglian Water Direct, selling a range of goods and services, such as household appliances and insurance, directly over the Internet (the first utility to do so).

Roy Pointer said: “Our ability to deliver year-on-year improvements is also essential if we want to grow and succeed abroad. Anglian Water has an increasingly global perspective, and already serves a population of four million people outside the UK.”

He added: “Getting it right at home is crucial to our success globally. Our UK business is Anglian Water’s ‘shop window’ for the world. If we deliver the best for our customers in the east of England, we can do the same in New Zealand, Ireland, Chile, the Czech Republic and many other countries where we now operate.”

Ends

Notes to editors.
The exact timing of the investment programme, where the money will be spent, and on what will be announced later.

Anglian Water serves part or all of : Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Greater London, Hertfordshire, Humberside, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Rutland, Suffolk and South Yorkshire.



©Waternunc.com 2000