---

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Answer

Mr. Bill O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the amount of the (a) water supply and (b) sewerage infrastructure in England which is in unsatisfactory condition; and what estimate she has made of (i) the cost of necessary repair and maintenance of the infrastructure and (ii) the length of time at current levels of investment to clear the backlog. [208885] Mr. Morley: In 2003, companies reported to Ofwat the profile of their assets across condition grades 1 (best) to 5 (worst). Around 5 per cent. of water mains, 3 per cent. of critical sewers and 5 per cent. of non-critical sewers were reported in condition grade 5. Each year the Director General of Water Services (the Director) assesses the trend in serviceability of the water mains and sewers in England and Wales. The assessment is that serviceability is currently stable and Ofwat does not consider there to be a `backlog' of work. At the 2004 price review the Director has assumed in price limits that water companies in England and Wales will spend around £1.87 billion on water mains and £1.03 billion on sewers to maintain their assets in the period 2005-10.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

208885; 430 c15W

Session

2004-05

Subjects

Costs Infrastructure Standards Water supply Repairs and maintenance Sewers

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk