Closing address

These Papers range widely in content over an area of vital interest to all in this industry. Some of the matters discussed are highly technical and specialized; others are still the subject of wide debate.

It is not my intention in this closing address merely to make a summary of the Papers and the discussions.

I propose to say just a little about the industry's achievements to date and then to discuss one particular factor which I believe may well become a more important driving force in the future.

I recently visited Bristol, where I was able to see the brand new regional operational control centre installed by Wessex Water. The advances made by the industry in many aspects of advanced technology during the last decade are well illustrated by such a visit. Watching the efficient and effective way in which faults are reported, in which staff are contacted and in which customer complaints on important aspects of water quality are dealt with, it is impossible not to be impressed. In that case, two members of staff at a well set-out and convenient console could be instantly in touch with over 300 staff throughout the Wessex region.