What the reason is for the 43% increase in water charges for Band D customers in 2000-01 by North of Scotland Water Authority, and whether …

When the Authority was set up in 1996, it inherited a range of water and wastewater charges from the various councils. It has gradually moved to harmonise charges throughout its area. With the new charges for 2000-01, this process is now complete for domestic customers. In addition there has been some rebalancing of charges from non-domestic to domestic customers to reflect actual costs. Taken together, these factors have meant that charges for some groups of customers have risen by more than 35% to bring them into line with the rest of the area. Charges for some other groups have risen by less than 35%.This approach is entirely consistent with a requirement for a total revenue increase from all customers of no more than 35%, needed to meet very significant investment needs of the Authority.