WESSEX Water has published its interim results for the six months to September 2003.

Drinking water and sewage treatment remained at or around 100 per cent compliance, proving that investment is benefiting both the environment and customers, says the company.

Of the four measured areas for customer service, three achieved 100 per cent compliance and the fourth customer phone calls answered within 30 seconds remained stable at 96.8 per cent.

Independent customer surveys showed that 95 per cent of customers rated the service as "good" or "very good".

Wessex Water chairman Colin Skellett said: "These excellent results reflect the hard work of everyone within the company.

"Wessex Water remains at the forefront of efficiency, service and profitability.

"Our focus continues to be on delivering benefits to all our stakeholders higher standards, greater efficiency and good financial returns.

"We continue to outperform on customer, environment and financial targets our overall level of service performance is among the best in the industry and we remain the most efficient water and sewerage operator."

Investment for the six months totalled £74.6m, an increase of £4.5m over the same period last year.

Turnover for the six months increased by £6.2m, while profit after tax fell by £6.6m to £30.4m. The company proposes to invest £750m between 2005-10.

That investment will be equivalent to £650 for each household in the Wessex Water region, said Mr Skellett.

He added that research had shown that customers did not want to see bills rise by more than two per cent above inflation.

"We have suggested bills go up by around 12 per cent over the five year period to meet investment the lowest proposed price rise of any water and sewerage company in England and Wales," he said.

"We aim to balance the need for investment in quality and environmental improvements with our customers' willingness to pay," said Mr Skellett