Non-domestic water retail

Pennon shareholders give green light to Viridor sale

Pennon shareholders approve the sale of waste management business Viridor to US private equity firm as the company focuses on opportunities in the water and wastewater sector.

Covid will make PCC targets ‘exceptionally hard’

SES Water talks Utility Week through data on water use during lockdown, with traditional spikes flattening at home and demand collapsing in the non-domestic market. The Surrey-based company has also seen clear differences in usage between different socio-economic groups. Water strategy manager Alison Murphy explains what this all means for consumption targets.

UU teams up with AI-tech firm to listen for leaks

United Utilities claims to have amassed the largest collection of leakage data in the world after partnering with a tech firm to tackle the issue using acoustic sensors and artificial intelligence.

UU pledges to prioritise safety and support ‘over any short-term impact’

As well as reflecting on the company’s performance in the past financial year, and price control period, United Utilities chief executive Steve Mogford has addressed the impact of Covid-19, saying the safety of staff and support for customers will be the unequivocal focus regardless of the hit to finances and targets. The company also revealed £51 million of losses on its Water Plus retail joint venture.

Northumbrian and Waterwise innovate through Covid-19

As social distancing changes the way we all live and work, two significant events in the water calendar have been announced to go ahead but online. Waterwise's Conference and Northumbrian's Innovation Festival will take place in July and September respectively.

CCW says water sector research is failing to engage customers

Keeping us Connected: Anglian boosts productivity in lockdown

Wider water sector raises concerns to CMA

Water Plus losses mount for SVT

Waterwise says cuts to efficiency programmes are ‘false economy’

Watchdogs to CMA: Customers must come before shareholders

Concerns that redeterminations of water company business plans could benefit shareholders more than consumers have been raised by watchdog groups, with one suggesting firms that argued otherwise were masking “a far more important conflict” between themselves and the regulator.

UU: Customer service is an emotional interaction not a process

United Utilities' customer base includes some of the most deprived parts of the country and these people are now facing ever increasing hardships because of the pandemic. Customer services and people director Louise Beardmore tells Utility Week how empowering staff to help wherever possible has earned the company praise from those it serves.

How Tideway got back to work

Thames Tideway programme director Andy Alder talks Utility Week through the measures being put in place to protect the health and safety of those returning to work on the super sewer, including a traffic light system for different working areas and tailored travel plans for staff commutes.

Thames to bring some AMP7 projects in-house

Water retailers still failing to pass on support message to customers

Some water retailers are still failing to signpost businesses to the support with their water bills available to them during the lockdown, according to CCW.