HC Deb 24 July 1997 vol 298 c738W
Mr. Salter

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what key performance targets have been set for the Water Service in 1997–98. [10727]

Marjorie Mowlam

For 1997–98, the following key performance targets have been set for the Water Service:

  1. 1. To achieve 98.2 per cent. compliance with drinking water standards set in the Water Quality Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1994.
  2. 2. To achieve 67 per cent. compliance with the sewage treatment works discharge standards set by the Environment and Heritage Service.
  3. 3. To ensure that fewer than 0.8 per cent. of properties experience unplanned interruptions to water supplies lasting greater than 12 hours.
  4. 4. To issue substantive replies to 90 per cent. of written complaints within 15 working days of receipt.
  5. 5. To deliver water at a unit cost of 53p per cubic metre.
  6. 6. To treat sewage at a unit cost of 46p per cubic metre.
  7. 7. To maintain expenditure within cash limits and to approved budget plans.
  8. 8. To achieve efficiency gains of 3 per cent. on running costs expenditure.

The targets are included in the Water Service's 1997–98 corporate-business plan, a copy of which will be placed in the Library.