SOUTHERN Water has vowed to slash the number of homes in Hampshire flooded by sewage by one quarter and keep water bills pegged to inflation.

The utility firm, which has a monopoly on water supplies and sewers in the county, is making a raft of promises as part of its five-year business plan.

This also includes higher quality customer service, with the aim of 90 per cent of queries resolved the first time customers get in touch.

A further commitment is to deliver better bathing water in the south coast’s beaches.

Now it wants customers to give their views on its plan which will cost £3 billion to deliver and involve the biggest programme of customer research in Southern Water’s history.

Simon Oates, Southern Water director of strategy and regulation, said: “We have talked in detail to thousands of people over the past 16 months to identify what matters most to our customers.

“This has enabled us to develop a plan which is focused on meeting their expectations and delivering the improvements they want in the coming five years.

“Importantly, we are proposing to do this with bills going up by no more than the rate of inflation – in line with the price of most everyday goods and services – but no further.”

Six priorities have been set out – better customer service, a constant supply of high quality drinking water, removing wastewater effectively, looking after the environment, better information and advice and affordable bills.

The consultation on the plan runs until September 22, 2013. All the comments received will be taken into account as the document is updated and finalised, before being submitted to the water industry regulator, Ofwat, by early December, 2013.

The names of everyone who gives their views will be entered into a prize draw to win £250 in shopping vouchers A donation of £1 will also be made to the international charity WaterAid for every comment received.

You can visit southernwater.co.uk/haveyou rsay to read or download Southern Water’s new fiveyear business plan, as well as leave your feedback.

Copies of the plan can be requested by writing to Joel Hufford, Public Relations Manager, Southern House, Yeoman Road, Worthing, BN13 3NX. Southern Water staff will also attend a range of local events to gather views.