ARGYLL and Bute residents, businesses and community organisations are being invited to have their say on proposals that will shape water and wastewater charges across Scotland for the next six years.
The Water Industry Commission for Scotland (WICS), the independent economic regulator for Scottish Water, has published its Draft Determination covering the period from 2027 to 2033 and is seeking public feedback before making its final decision later this year.
The draft proposals set out the maximum charges Scottish Water would be permitted to apply, alongside the level of investment expected in return and the improvements customers should receive.
Under the proposals, annual water bills would increase by no more than 2 per cent above inflation in normal circumstances, or 2.3 per cent above inflation if certain additional costs arise.
On average, bills would rise by around £12 a year before inflation, approximately £7 less than Scottish Water originally proposed.
WICS says the draft determination aims to strike a balance between keeping bills affordable while ensuring sufficient investment in Scotland’s ageing water and wastewater infrastructure.
The regulator has also proposed a record £7.9 billion investment programme over the next regulatory period — around 30 per cent higher than the current programme.
The funding would support improvements to drinking water quality, supply reliability, reducing leakage, tackling sewer flooding, protecting the environment and strengthening the network against the impacts of climate change.
WICS says it has identified opportunities to reduce Scottish Water’s proposed spending by £360 million without affecting the improvements customers value most.
Among the targets included in the proposals is a commitment to reduce water leakage by 67 million litres a day — around 15 per cent — enough to fill more than 26 Olympic-sized swimming pools every day. The draft determination also aims to reduce pollution and sewer flooding incidents while providing stronger protections for customers.
David Satti, chief executive of WICS, said: “Our Draft Determination is intended to protect customers from paying more than they need to, while ensuring Scottish Water can invest in the safe, reliable and resilient services Scotland will need in the years ahead.
“We have allowed for a significant increase in investment, but we have also challenged Scottish Water’s costs and made some funding conditional. This is how we ensure that customers only pay where investment is necessary, efficient, deliverable and produces clear benefits.
“The decisions made for the next regulatory period will shape the reliability, resilience and affordability of water and wastewater services for years to come.
“We want to hear from customers, communities, businesses and other stakeholders before we reach our Final Determination.”
The public consultation runs from June 30 until September 1, with WICS due to publish its Final Determination on October 29. Any new charges approved will come into effect from April 1, 2027.
Residents and organisations wishing to comment on the proposals can take part in the consultation via the WICS website.
