§ Mr. BeggsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will estimate the annual cost of leaking or damaged water and sewage pipes in each of the last five years. [168193]
§ Mr. SpellarThe Chief Executive of Water Service (Mrs. Katharine Bryan) has written to the hon. Gentleman in response to this question.
Letter from Mrs. Katharine Bryan to Mr. Roy Beggs dated 27 April 2004:
You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland a Parliamentary Question (No. 1259) about the annual cost of leaking or damaged water and sewage pipes in each of the last five years. I have been asked to reply as Chief Executive of the Water Service.
Water Service undertakes regular and extensive maintenance and repair work on the water and sewerage infrastructure, including repairs to burst watermains and blocked sewers, maintenance of valves and hydrants and desilting of sewers. Over the last five years Water Service has spent £76.1 million on such work. The annual breakdown is as follows:
Cost (£ million) 1999–2000 13.8 2000–01 13.8 2001–02 15.6 2002–03 16.3 2003–04 16.6 In addition to maintenance and repairs, Water Service has also invested £282 million on upgrading watermains and sewers over the last five years, as part of the ongoing investment programme to comply with EU Directives, protect the environment and deliver customer service improvements.