Scottish Water eyes £13.4bn of investment for 2027-33

(by Karma Loveday)

Scottish Water has proposed a £13.4bn investment package in its final business plan for 2027-33.

This includes £8.1bn of investment (down from £8.5bn in the draft plan), and £5.3bn for operating and other essential costs. The substantial increase is in response to ageing infrastructure, growing climate change and regulatory pressures, and changing customer needs.

The proposed increase to annual customer charges was 3.3% above CPI. Support for customers who need help will continue.

Scottish Water said the plan was informed by feedback from key stakeholders and over 25,000 customers. The plan set out the company's challenges, opportunities and proposed priorities for 2027-33 and showed how Scottish Water will make progress towards the long-term ambitions, outcomes and approaches set out in its Long-Term Strategy (2025-2050).

Regulator WICS will publish its draft determination on 30 June and its final decision on 29 October. Charges will apply from 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2033.

WICS commented that Scottish Water had responded well to its challenge on costs, efficiency and deliverability in the draft plan. The regulator said: “Scottish Water has responded well to that feedback, including reducing its proposed annual charge increase from 4% to 3.3% and increasing ambition in areas such as drinking water quality and water environment outcomes.”