Underground Mains Replacement

Underground Main Replacement Pushes Up Prices

The South Staffordshire Water Company's, Customer Consultative Committee [CCC] at its July meeting received a report from the company that indicated that the company remained concerned about the potential for deterioration of the underground network unless the current rate of investment is increased. This is the vast network of pipes that provides the water we all take for granted.

There is a strong body of opinion within the water companies management team that if the underground network is not programmed to be replaced. The overall level of bursts will increase and the annual operating expenditure will increase year on year in an attempt contain the overall level of leakage. This would become a very expensive method of containment and one that the CCC felt that they could not support.

Councillor Phil Bateman said "The Company has spent considerable time preparing its case and early indications are that the arguments marshalled by them are very robust, and support 40 % uplift in annual mains replacement.

This proposal comes with a cost as the replacement programme will likely affect the price customers pay for their water. In stark terms a 40% increase in network spend on underground mains, will push up the price of water to customers by between 3 and 4 %.

The C.C.C. protects the interest of customers by representing their views and informing them of matters appertaining to the company. Its overall objective is to consider any matter affecting the interest of the company’s customers or relating to the provision of service.

Councillor Phil Bateman has been Chairman of the Committee since 1996