Reflecting research carried out with customers and stakeholders, South West Water has published its long-term vision for the period 2020-2050, which outlines the water and wastewater service improvements the company plans to deliver in the coming years.

The document, entitled ‘WaterFuture: Our Vision 2020-2050’ forms part of the company’s business-planning process and is being published ahead of the industry-wide ‘Price Review’ in 2019. More detailed business plans for the 2020-2025 period will be published next year for public consultation and subsequent assessment by Ofwat, the water industry’s economic regulator, which will then set price controls on company business plans and their associated revenues and charges.

Our Vision 2020-2050 sets out South West Water’s long-term ambitions across eight key business areas ranging from ‘clean and safe drinking water’ to ‘benefitting the community’. It explores how the company plans to stay resilient to future challenges such as population growth and the impacts of climate change and outlines our plans to ensure customer bills remain fair and affordable for all. With a focus on innovation and improved customer service, some of the ambitious aims include:

• Reducing pollution and flooding incidents to near zero
• Ensuring 100% compliance with current and future drinking water standards
• Raising compliance with bathing water quality standards to 100%
• Assisting all customers needing help with bills
• Continuing to invest in apprenticeships and the training of our workforce

 “South West Water is already making major investments to improve services and deliver more of what matters most to our customers,” says Managing Director Stephen Bird. 

“We also supply some of best drinking water quality in the UK, have achieved record bathing water quality in recent years, and have made huge steps forward in improving customer satisfaction. That said, there is still work to do, particularly in areas relating to the protection of the environment. We’ve also been looking at new and innovative ways to improve services while keeping bills as low as possible, recognising that there are customers who struggle to pay. Our Vision to 2050 has been developed with the direct input of our customers – both households and businesses - and we would encourage people to have a read and discover more about the services they receive and what we hope to deliver for them in the future.” 

To read the Vision visit www.southwestwater.co.uk/vision2050