14 September 2007
Households with Scottish Water receive the fourth lowest water bills in the UK, the utility's annual report has claimed.
The latest study from the publicly-owned firm shows that the average bill of £297 for 2007 and 2008 was significantly lower than that of seven other UK water companies.
Only Northumbrian Water, Severn Trent and Thames Water have lower water bills, the water supplier's study found, with bills of £285, £279 and £275 respectively.
Scottish Water Chief Executive John Hargreaves explained that continuing improvements in efficiency had enabled bill increases to remain below inflation.
"Since Scottish Water was created in 2002, the efficiencies made in both the delivery of investment and in running the business amount to more than £1 billion," he said.
"Savings since 2002 have lowered household bills by more than £100 per year."
Ronnie Mercer, Chair of Scottish Water added: "This annual report for 2006 /07 highlights the improvements which include better quality drinking water, improved customer service and a cleaner environment.
"Whilst there is still much to do we are rapidly closing the gap with England and Wales in all aspects of our business and for some measures we are well up the league tables," he asserted.