DETAILS OF a five-year £41-million spending plan to transform the water and waste water infrastructure across Angus and Dundee were outlined by Scottish Water yesterday.

A spokesperson said, “The biggest investment in the water industry in Scotland for generations is already resulting in better quality drinking water, improved customer service and major environmental improvements in hundreds of communities.

“We are investing £768 per household between 2002-2006 on more than 2000 projects across Scotland.”

Much of the Tayside money has already been allocated, with only a year of the current programme left to run.

The company said it is already in consultation with all the regulatory bodies before putting its business plan for 2006-14 to the Scottish Executive for approval.

Investment in Angus and Dundee includes £3.5m replacing ageing water mains; £8m improving waste water quality; £19m improving drinking water quality; £8m on sewer improvement and £1m improving storm water storage.

“This comes at a time when Scottish Water announces its lowest increases in bills, with an increase of £8 on an average household bill for 2005/06. This is the lowest increase of any water company in the UK,” the spokesperson added.

In Dundee and Angus much of the investment is being delivered by Scottish Water Solutions, the joint-venture partnership of utility companies and contractors set up by Scottish Water to help deliver its Capital Investment Programme.

Scotland’s water is good, clean and safe to drink, the spokesperson for Scottish Water said.

“In 2004 we carried out more than 334,046 tests at the reservoir, treatment works and taps. 99.57% met strict European standards.

“This represents a continuation of the improvement in overall compliance achieved since the establishment of Scottish Water in 2002,” the spokesperson added.

Scottish Water is laying the groundwork for the second wave of investment, covering 2006-2014. Hundreds of interested parties have been consulted by the Scottish Executive over how much more should be spent and where best to target the investment.

Investments across Angus and Dundee to date include:

* Forfar—around £1 million to upgrade sewers and outfalls will help stop raw sewage discharges and improve the water quality of Forfar Loch.

* Tannadice to Broom water mains renewal—£90,000 investment to replace 2150 metres of outdated water pipes from Tannadice to Broom, near Forfar.

In an area that was prone to bursts the investment has reduced the likelihood of interruptions and ensured a clean, safe and secure water supply continues to be delivered to customers’ taps.

* Dundee water mains renewal—just over £600,000 to renew ageing water mains and tackle areas prone to bursts.

This work is being prioritised as it will reduce leakage in the water network and help Scottish Water reduce the demand on the Backwater/Lintrathen system which serves Dundee and Angus.

Customers will see the benefits from the work as it will improve drinking water and reduce interruptions caused by burst mains.

* Dundee sewer renewal—a rolling programme worth £5 million investment is the result of Scottish Water identifying 130 km of crumbling sewer which is being replaced to provide a better service and prevent emergency action.

* Almondbank—£150,000 to upgrade Almondbank Waste Water Treatment Works and the sewer overflows to protect the River Almond. This improves the service for 2000 residents.

* Balbeuchley water mains improvement—a £700,000 investment to modernise 12.9 km of water network spanning from Fowlis to Inverarity has ensured clean, safe drinking water will continue to be delivered to 3000 customers’ taps in the Balbeuchley area, north of Dundee.

* Newtyle—replacing ageing water mains in Newtyle, Coupar Angus has brought improved service to customers.