Scottish Water has set out a £13.4bn blueprint to protect and upgrade the water and wastewater network between 2027 and 2033.

The publicly-owned utility said the six-year programme will future-proof ageing assets, tackle climate pressures and maintain what it claims are among the lowest charges in the UK.

Of the £13.4bn total, £8bn is earmarked for maintaining and improving pipes, treatment works and other core infrastructure.

The balance will fund operating and essential costs to keep services running safely and efficiently.

Investment will be spread across every part of Scotland, supporting jobs, skills and local supply chains.

Chief executive Alex Plant said: “This plan sets out how we can continue to provide high quality, reliable water and wastewater services for Scotland, while keeping customer bills as low as possible.

“More than 25,000 people helped shape this plan, and their message was clear – protect essential services, invest for the future, but do so in a way that is fair and affordable.”

He added: “Scottish Water’s charges are among the lowest of any water utility in the UK and, as a publicly owned business, every penny we receive is re-invested in services for our customers.”

To fund the programme, annual customer charges are proposed to rise by 3.3% above CPI. The utility said more than 53% of households already receive some form of financial support and that assistance schemes will continue.

The proposals now go to the Water Industry Commission for Scotland for scrutiny.

A draft determination is due in June, with a Final Determination in October 2026 setting confirmed investment levels and charges for the 2027–2033 period.

A detailed Delivery Plan will follow ahead of the new regulatory cycle.