Water supply

On the move: More change at Thames; EA appoints new board

After Kelly Macfarlane's departure from Thames Water, the company has appointed a director of retail; elsewhere the Environment Agency has named three board members.

Northumbrian joins Covid-19 testing programme

Severn Trent ramps up sewer monitoring

Severn Trent is ramping up its use of smart sewer monitoring devices after the success of a trial. The company reported 25 per cent fewer blockages and a 15 per cent reduction in pollution incidents during the first year of AMP7

United Utilities sells stake in overseas water company

United Utilities has sold the stake it has held in Estonian water company Tallinna Vesi for more than 20 years. It will use the proceeds from the sale for its green recovery plans for the north west region

Water bills to fall amid surge in uptake of support

Household water bills are set to drop by an average of £2 from April, which after inflation will be the same rate as a decade ago. Bills and reductions vary between companies, but most households will save at a time when more customers across England and Wales are accessing payment support schemes than ever before.

Bristol overhauls operations after wholesale success

Bristol Water’s wholesale division was voted the best performer by retailers in the inaugural R-Mex ratings and was consistently high in the preceding league tables. The company built the division to be customer-centric and is now applying that formula to the wider business. Chief operating officer Richard Price talks to Utility Week about what’s been achieved and what’s next in the strategy.

NI Water begins construction on treatment plant

NI Water has hailed a wastewater treatment plant as an example of what the company can do when adequately funded

Thames pilots smart sewer monitors

Thames has begun a trial using smart technology that monitors sewers and alerts the company if problems emerge before they cause blockages.

Utilities recognised in gender equality report

Four UK utilities have been included in the 2021 Bloomberg Gender Equality Index for commitment to making workplaces more inclusive and increasing transparency of reporting

Ofwat approves four RAPID projects

Ofwat has confirmed its decision to approve the first four projects under the RAPID scheme to improve resilience through collaborations between water companies.

UU issues first sustainable bond

United Utilities has issued £300 million sustainable bonds to fund investment in infrastructure, the environment and to support customers who struggle to pay their bills

Thames to launch supply chain apprentice scheme

Defra approves fast-track spending for Anglian

South West launches water efficiency fund

Regulation not legislation key to ending CSOs

New commitments for water companies, Ofwat and the Environment Agency to increase transparency and reduce the reliance on storm overflows have been made in response to Philip Dunne's Sewage (Inland Waters) Bill. Utility Week speaks to the chair of the Environmental Audit Committee.