Water networks

Publicly-owned water sector ‘makes economic, social and environmental sense’

Water has become the poster child for Labour’s renationalisation plans so it is little surprise that industry figures have taken a unanimously critical line. However, sector veteran Jacob Tompkins, believes this defence of privatisation has gone too far and that the sector should instead focus on why Labour’s plans have caught the public mood.

Don’t flush away your customer data

Managing disruption due to accidents and leaks is a major challenge for water companies and can make or break a reputation. Responding quickly and effectively is essential, and this is where technology can play a role.

Water sector to produce blueprint for 2030 net-zero goal

A date has been agreed for the water sector to set out exactly how it plans to achieve its ambitious target of reaching net-zero emissions by 2030.

Baroness McIntosh: Water firms need to connect with youth to shake off ‘fat cat’ stereotype

PR19 final determination – is Ofwat for turning?

Water company shareholders may have joined the fight against Ofwat’s proposed price cuts, but it might be too little, too late, says Nigel Hawkins.

UW Manifesto: Water ‘needs an Attenborough’

In the latest of a series of articles exploring specific pledges in Utility Week's Election 2019 Manifesto, we examine why water scarcity has failed to alarm the public to the extent other looming environmental crises have. How can we communicate this urgent water efficiency message and what can the next government do to facilitate this?

Thames rules out going offshore to swerve nationalisation

Thames Water’s CFO talks to Utility Week about investor uncertainty around nationalisation, why he is “cautiously optimistic” the company will not have to go to the CMA over PR19 and when we can expect an announcement on the company’s new chief executive.

Counting the true cost of nationalisation

Despite claims to have a fully-costed manifesto, the Labour Party has given little indication of the price tag attached to one of its flagship policies – renationalisation. As part of Utility Week’s Election 2019 coverage, Nigel Hawkins analyses the numbers behind the party’s plans to take energy and water networks, as well as the supply arms of the largest energy retailers, back into public hands.

Satisfaction levels rank GB water second globally

Pennon Group growth led by waste management arm

Make every customer contact count

Tories to give CMA new powers to tackle ‘consumer rip-offs’

The Conservatives have pledged a fresh crackdown on energy bills while opening the door to an earlier cut-off date than 2040 for sales of petrol and diesel cars. The party’s manifesto also says the rebate on water bills would be extended in the South West in a nod to assuage what it describes as a “major source of financial pressure” for many households.

Severn Trent to embed social purpose into constitution

Severn Trent chief executive Liv Garfield speaks to Utility Week about the company's decision to put social responsibility at the heart of its constitution. Speaking on the back of the group's half-year results she also discusses how the company's has managed to outperform its peers on key metrics.

H3O: Determination in regulation

Three decades of regulation and price reviews has brought the sector to a point where companies feel squeezed more than ever. Is the regulator tightening its grip after showing leniency for too long? Industry sources talk to Utility Week about how this point was reached.

Renationalisation not a concern at UU

On the back of strong financial performance at United Utilities, chief executive Steve Mogford talks to Utility Week about how the company has transformed itself into one of the best in the sector and why he isn't losing sleep over renationalisation