WELSH Water has announced a record level of investment and extra support for customers during the covid-19 response.

The company has confirmed investment of £456 million in its water and wastewater services over the 12 months ending March 31.

It is set to invest a further £366 million over the coming year as it continues to play its part in protecting public health – part of a new five-year £1.8 billion investment plan to 2025.

Welsh Water also confirmed it has introduced emergency help for thousands of customers as part of its response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The company’s Annual Results, published today, show continued strong performance through a challenging year as its key workers continue to provide an essential service to the three million people it serves.

The not-for-profit company has confirmed that it has arranged payment holidays for more than 5,000 household customers in financial need and temporarily suspended payments for approximately 45,000 businesses which have had to close due to the Government’s current social restrictions.

Welsh Water , which serves more than three million people across most of Wales and some adjoining parts of England, is also providing £11 million support over the next 12 months to its lowest-earning customers through its social tariffs - support that is helping nearly 130,000 customers with their bills.

Glas Cymru Chairman, Alastair Lyons, said: “As a not-for-shareholder business, Welsh Water exists to serve and benefit its customers – and our role has never been more important.

“These current circumstances are amongst the most challenging we have ever faced. We are proud to play our part in not only providing additional support for household and business customers during these difficult times but also ensuring customers still receive the best services possible from our key workers.

“I want to thank everyone in Welsh Water who has worked so hard during the current crisis and over the past 12 months."

Welsh Water chief executive Peter Perry said: “This unprecedented situation has meant that we have had to change fundamentally how we work in order to safeguard our employees and I am very pleased that we have been able to achieve this to help play our part in maintaining our essential services and protecting public health.

"We have also seen changes in how our customers use water – with more people working from home, and changes in use compared to when businesses are operating normally and fewer people are at home during the day

"We continue to do what we can to help protect water resource levels but would also ask customers to only use as much water as they need – particularly to ensure they remain safe and healthy – and not to waste it."

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Welsh Water has also supported customers and communities by increasing its Community Fund threefold to £300,000.

More than £100,000 has already been given to foodbanks which are part of the Trussell Trust in Wales since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Partnerships have also been agreed with Business in the Community Cymru and the Community Foundation in Wales, Hereford and Cheshire.

Susan Lloyd-Selby, operations manager for Wales at the Trussell Trust, said: “As the impact of the coronavirus outbreak unfolds across Wales, more and more people are needing a food bank’s help.

"Food bank teams are working tirelessly to ensure food banks are able to remain open and can respond to the crisis.

"We’re really grateful to Welsh Water for their generous donation to each food bank in our network that is open in Wales – this support will help food banks continue to offer vital emergency food to people who can’t afford the essentials right now.”