Scottish Water is set to support 5000 construction jobs over the next six years following the announcement of a £3.5Bn investment programme for the publically owned company by Scotland’s Deputy First Minster Nicola Sturgeon.
Planned projects under this programme include more than £280M worth of improvements to water mains and water treatments works across Scotland.
Over £100M will be spent on a Glasgow waste water tunnel to improve water quality in the River Clyde and reduce flooding in Mount Florida and Giffnock.
More than £60M is being invested to reduce the impact of discharges to the River Clyde from Daldowie and Dalmarnock Wastewater Treatment Works while £45M will be used to deliver solutions to around 400 external sewer flooding problems across Scotland.
There will also be drinking water improvements at Glenlatterach (Aberdeenshire - £5.6M), Fair Isle (£4.9M) and South Uist (£6.8M).
Work to be undertaken during the programme is backed by £720M of borrowing from the Scottish Government, which set out in its policy statement that water charges must remain stable and not increase by more than the rate of inflation.
Scottish Water chief executive Douglas Millican said: “I am delighted that we are announcing the start of this major investment programme for 2015-21 which will enable Scottish Water to continue to provide first class customer service, while supporting the Scottish economy and creating jobs in the construction industry.
Ms Sturgeon said: “Water and sewerage services are vital to our everyday lives. It is important that we continue to invest to ensure that these keep on meeting the needs of customers, the environment and economic development.
“This Government is determined to ensure that Scottish Water continues to be a public sector success story,” she added.
