Summit to discuss future of water supplies
Posted: Wednesday 12th September 2007
The future of water supplies in the North West will be discussed at a special summit co-hosted by United Utilities and the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA).
The conference will see regulators, customer watchdogs and government agencies discussing the big issues facing the water sector in the region over the next 30 years.
These include the demands on water resources and how the company can deliver its services with as little impact on the environment as possible.
United Utilities is currently devising a long-term strategy which will help it deliver world class water and wastewater services well into the 21st century. This strategy will be published in December 2007 and the conference will be an important event to inform its content.
As part of this planning, United Utilities wants to listen to what stakeholders will expect from their water supplier.
Clive Elphick, United Utilities Managing Director of Asset Management and Regulation, said: “The services we provide to people across the region are essential, so we want to involve as many stakeholders as possible in shaping our future. “This event is about us listening to what groups like our customers and regulators want and talking about how we can achieve those goals.”
Clive added: “Our long-term plans for water and wastewater services must reflect the pressures, demands and challenges, including climate change, which we face over the next 25-30 years.”
The conference will look at supply and demand of drinking water, environmental quality and sustainable operations.
Steven Broomhead, Chief Executive of the NWDA said: “Despite the record breaking rainfall across England this summer, water remains a valuable natural resource that should not be wasted or taken for granted.
“The long term strategy for our water supply must fit with the needs of consumers and businesses in the region, with as little impact on the environment as possible.
“This summit will provide businesses in the region with an opportunity to influence that strategy and help ensure we have a sustainable water supply long into the future.”
As well as talks from United Utilities and the NWDA, there will also be presentations from the Environment Agency, the Drinking Water Inspectorate, Ofwat and the Consumer Council for Water.
United Utilities will use the conference to prepare for the 2009 price review with the regulator Ofwat, which will set limits on the prices it can charge customers from 2010-2015.
The conference is being held at the Lowry Centre, Salford, on Monday, September 17, 2007.
