Water companies should use their current planning and expenditure review as an opportunity to provide better protection for the environment and tackle rising prices for water customers. That was the message that an influential group of environmental and angling organisations presented to Environment Minister, Phil Woolas, at an event hosted by Martin Salter MP in the House of Commons on 2nd July. The water industry is currently planning its activities and expenditure for 2010 to 2015 [1].
The Blueprint for Water coalition is calling for large-scale water efficiency projects to reduce demand for water, coupled with initiatives to stop pollution at source.
Nearly two billion pounds has been spent in the last five years on energy intensive treatment processes to make drinking water quality acceptable for consumers. Investment now in action to improve water quality at source will save the public money in the long term. As the price of energy bills rise there is a real need for the planning review to consider fair pricing for water.
"We can't go on for ever just building our way out of trouble"