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Scottish Water fails on targets | Scottish Water fails on targets |
(about 9 hours later) | |
Scottish Water has not done enough to reduce leakage and has been slow to make improvements to drinking water, according to the water regulator. | Scottish Water has not done enough to reduce leakage and has been slow to make improvements to drinking water, according to the water regulator. |
The Water Industry Commission for Scotland (WICS) said it was monitoring the situation carefully. | The Water Industry Commission for Scotland (WICS) said it was monitoring the situation carefully. |
Last year, Scottish Water reduced waste from leakage from more than a billion litres a day to 924 million litres, but this was still well above its target. | Last year, Scottish Water reduced waste from leakage from more than a billion litres a day to 924 million litres, but this was still well above its target. |
The company said it was on course to meet this year's targets. | The company said it was on course to meet this year's targets. |
WICS chairman Sir Iain Byatt said practical action was required to tackle the issue. | WICS chairman Sir Iain Byatt said practical action was required to tackle the issue. |
"We have expressed to Scottish Water our concern about the rate at which projects are being submitted for sign-off, as this will result in customers having to wait longer for the benefits promised to them," he said. | "We have expressed to Scottish Water our concern about the rate at which projects are being submitted for sign-off, as this will result in customers having to wait longer for the benefits promised to them," he said. |
"Leakage levels also continue to be higher than the pragmatic targets we set in 2006." | "Leakage levels also continue to be higher than the pragmatic targets we set in 2006." |
The issue of leakage in Scotland wasn't an issue that was taken seriously in previous years Geoff AitkenheadScottish Water | |
Sir Iain Byatt added that it would be a challenge for Scottish Water for finish on-time improvements scheduled for completion by March 2010. | Sir Iain Byatt added that it would be a challenge for Scottish Water for finish on-time improvements scheduled for completion by March 2010. |
However, he stressed that customers would not have to pay any more as a result of shortfalls in Scottish Water's performance. | However, he stressed that customers would not have to pay any more as a result of shortfalls in Scottish Water's performance. |
Scottish Water said extra resources were in place to reduce leakage and other issues were also being addressed. | Scottish Water said extra resources were in place to reduce leakage and other issues were also being addressed. |
The company said it had made great progress last year with benefits for customers and the environment. | The company said it had made great progress last year with benefits for customers and the environment. |
Geoff Aitkenhead, Scottish Water's asset management director, told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme: "The issue of leakage in Scotland wasn't an issue that was taken seriously in previous years. | |
"In the period from 2006 to 2008 we were busy installing meters all over Scotland to measure where the leakage problems were at their worst. | |
"Since then we've been taking action and we are now on top of the issue." | |
Ballot papers | |
Meanwhile, more than 1,000 Scottish Water employees have been sent ballot papers by Unison on whether to reject a pay deal. | Meanwhile, more than 1,000 Scottish Water employees have been sent ballot papers by Unison on whether to reject a pay deal. |
The ballot asks members to vote for both strike action, and action short of a strike. | The ballot asks members to vote for both strike action, and action short of a strike. |
Unison regional organiser Dougie Black said Scottish Water had claimed it was "acting at the behest of the Scottish Government who want to restrict public sector increases to 2% in line with Westminster". | Unison regional organiser Dougie Black said Scottish Water had claimed it was "acting at the behest of the Scottish Government who want to restrict public sector increases to 2% in line with Westminster". |
He said: "They have an opportunity while the ballot takes place to convince the government to untie their hands." | He said: "They have an opportunity while the ballot takes place to convince the government to untie their hands." |
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