Views are wanted on the priorities for investment

Environment Minister Ross Finnie has launched two consultation exercises.

One will give people the chance to say where they think investment should be targeted between 2006 and 2014.

The other asks how different groups of consumers should be charged and looks at whether there should be a new system of discounts for those on low incomes.

Mr Finnie launched the exercise at Mugdock reservoir near Glasgow, where a new �100m water treatment works is being built.

Last year Scottish Water began a �1.8bn programme to improve water supplies by 2006.

Mr Finnie said that the creation of the quango, which brought together the country's three water authorities in April 2002, had helped to deliver a more effective and efficient water industry.

Further substantial investment in water services is needed Ross Finnie Environment Minister

But he said: "More needs to be done to continue to improve drinking water quality and environmental protection, and to address requirements for new developments.

"We are providing record levels of investment in water services. Further substantial investment in water services is needed.

"Investing in Water Services 2006 - 2014 gives customers across Scotland the opportunity to say where that investment should be directed."

He said the companion paper, Paying for Water Services 2006-2010, would give customers their say on how different groups should be charged for the services they received.

Targeted discounts

It will look at issues, such as cross-subsidies between customers, and the charges for different kinds of consumers.

It will also asks whether the current single person's discount should be abolished and the savings used for a new system of better targeted discounts for low income households.

The consultation on investment seeks views on a range of potential spending areas, such as drinking water quality, the environment and how to tackle bad smells from sewage works.