Water Bill Must Protect Consumers and Environment
Tue., November 09, 2004. 00:00.
Commenting on the Water services etc Bill, Mark Ruskell MSP, deputy convener of the Environment and Rural Development Committee (ERDC), called for all future legislation on water to be underpinned by sustainable development, ensuring a quality service while protecting the environment.
Commenting on the Water services etc Bill, Mark Ruskell MSP, deputy convener of the Environment and Rural Development Committee (ERDC), called for all future legislation on water to be underpinned by sustainable development, ensuring a quality service while protecting the environment.
The ERDC published its Stage 1 Report on the bill today, endorsing the general principles but highlighting weaknesses.
On the proposed new regulator, the Water Industry Commission (WIC), Mr Ruskell said, 'The proposed Commission will set the pricing for water. This has a huge impact on the environment, the economy and social justice, yet there is no duty for the WIC to consider what this impact may be when setting pricing.
"There needs to be a duty placed on the new regulator to have regard for sustainable development, so the balance between the environment, economy and social justice can be delivered in conjunction with Scottish Water. This duty is especially important for the WIC (Water Industry Commission) to regulate private suppliers who will not be placed under the same controls as Scottish Water.'
On the quality of water services and investment, 'There is a massive amount of investment required and many competing priorities. What we need is a transparent set of indicators that pinpoints problems such as water leakage and odour nuisance, for example. There is no clear picture at present on which areas the sector is performing well in and what areas it is performing badly in.'
ENDS
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