In its Final Business Plan for 2010 to 2015 submitted to industry regulator Ofwat, South West Water is proposing to invest £750 million on maintaining the record quality of its tap water, improving customer service and safeguarding the success of its Clean Sweep programme.

The investment programme will focus much more on small maintenance schemes rather than large new build projects meaning many contracts will be directly targeted at small and medium-sized local businesses on the company's list of suppliers. Economic modelling suggests such large scale investment may help support 5,000 South West jobs.

Chief Executive Chris Loughlin said: "Our investment programme will be smaller than in the past but we still need to maintain all the environmental and economic benefits Clean Sweep has brought the region as well as deliver the ever improving services our customers have a right to expect.

"Our intention is to pump hundreds of millions into the regional economy over the five years through hundreds of local businesses in our supply network.

"We are also introducing our new 'Alliance' structure to work more closely with our suppliers – the vast majority of whom are small and medium-sized businesses across the South West – to ensure we get the very best value for money for our customers."

Devon and Cornwall Business Council Chairman Tim Jones said: "South West Water is one of the largest companies in the region and their influence on the local economy is significant.

"It is particularly encouraging that opportunities are now available for a wide range of small businesses to become directly involved in the investment programme. The new 'Alliance' is a major step forward and will undoubtedly benefit this region in trading out of the difficult economic circumstances."

Cornish company Tecker Ltd, specialise in industrial process engineering and currently employ over 100 staff on water and sewerage projects. Last year the company completed around £10 million in contracts for South West Water.

Contracts Manager Andrew Lawrance said: "We are delighted by this news and it is good news for the local community. This should secure work for our present staff  but could enable us to employ more staff on this new work. It will also help guarantee our programme of apprentice training, with a further intake of another 15 apprentices this year."

Ends

Notes to editors

1) South West Water's Draft Business Plan was published in August 2008. Following consultation with the industry regulator Ofwat and stakeholders, the Final Business Plan contains revised spending proposals and provides for lower price limits.

Under the proposals, average bills would increase by around £5 per year (1.2%) between 2010 and 2015 excluding the effects of inflation. Ofwat will reach its determination on the proposals and price limits later this year.

2) Other highlights of the Final Business Plan include proposals to:

· Trial new Rising Block Tariffs, which reward bill payers for saving water

· Extend the company's much-praised WaterCare programme to help customers in the most need

· Reduce operational carbon emissions by 18%

· Expand innovative schemes to 'rewet' wetlands and control future treatment costs

3) Economic modelling of the jobs impact of the future investment programme has used the ECON I i model which includes data from and is supported by the South West Regional Development Agency

4) South West Water currently has approximately 1,200 approved suppliers. The company's new 'Alliance' structure should ensure closer working relationships with small and medium-sized suppliers within the region.

Tecker Ltd are based on the Tregoniggie Industrial Estate, Falmouth. For further information on the company please call Andrew Laurance on 01326 378774.

Tim Jones is Chairman of the Devon and Cornwall Business Council, which is a private sector-led, economic partnership representing some 15,000 businesses across the region. For further information, please call 07771 800275.