§ Mr. KidneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what guidance she gives to water companies on the expected asset life of critical sewers; and what action she will take to ensure that critical sewers are replaced before they fail completely. [18081]
97W
§ Mr. MeacherIn 1998 in "Raising the Quality" the then Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions gave guidance that water and sewerage companies should maintain their assets in a way which will deliver a high standard of serviceability to customers and the environment. Ofwat has identified this as an area for companies to include in their draft business plans for the 2004 periodic review of prices. The water industry, Ofwat and the Environment Agency are working together on the assessment of future capital maintenance needs, for the review. Asset lives are a factor in this.