Friday 24 May 2013

South West Water profits rise by £150million, gives poor discounts

South West Water profits rise by £150million, gives poor discounts

South West Water is giving discounts to 10,000 of its lowest income customers, the supplier said yesterday as it announced a multi-million pound rise in profits.

It’s part of an extra investment programme which is also meant to protect bathing water quality at tourist beaches and maintain nearly six million metres of sewers.

The firm said the plans will be funded from efficiency savings in its current five year programme. Last year South West Water’s profits before tax increased by 7.5% to £152.1 million.

Chief Executive Chris Loughlin said: "Last year saw everything from near drought conditions to the wettest summer and winter for 100 years… Now is the right time to go further and share the benefits of our good financial performance with our customers by investing more where it is most needed.

“This year we will be introducing WaterCare, our new social tariff, which will discount bills for around 10,000 customers on the lowest incomes."

He added: “Investing now in our network and treatment works protecting bathing water quality will help minimise the risk of these vital beaches losing their status and serious knock-on damage to the region's number one industry - tourism.”

Written by

Bruna Pinhoni

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