SOUTH East Water has submitted an ambitious plan to Ofwat which will see the company invest a further £472m to improve the local water infrastructure from 2020-25.

ThE water firm has made sure that all opinions have been considered in the development of the plan by not only using feedback from the company’s daily communications with customers, but also carrying out extensive research, discussions and consultations with customers, stakeholders, retailers, businesses, employees, and an independent customer challenge group.

Paul Butler, managing director of South East Water said: “This is the most ambitious plan we have ever produced. It recognises our wider responsibilities as the provider of an essential service and as an important local employer for the region.

“We are making commitments in this plan to work hard for our local communities, whether that is ensuring a reliable, secure supply of water for customers, or doing more for the environment around us, by helping to protect wildlife habitats or continuing to innovate to reduce leaking pipes further.

“Our business plan can be summed up as ambitious, delivering customer satisfaction in a responsible way while maintaining the average annual bill at £204 before inflation for the next five years.

“South East Water is driven by the same values of trust as our customers. We are a local water company made up of dedicated water people who want to make a difference so that everyone and everything thrives as a result of what we do.”

Mr Butler added: “I would like to thank all those people who have played a part in helping us develop our latest plan, particularly our independent customer challenge group which has given us strong challenge, scrutiny and input throughout.”