For the third year running Northumbrian Water has come first in the British Water’s annual Water Company Performance survey based on rankings from supply chain stakeholders.

At the bottom of the table, Thames Water has fallen from 10^th to twelfth place, followed by Scottish Water who remain in 11^th place – the position they occupied in 2011. Yorkshire Water and  Dwr Cymru/Welsh Water took second and third place respectively.

The 2012 survey has ranked companies according to contractual approach, attitude, professional qualities, impact on supply chain, procurement, following policy, communication, partners/main contractors and AMP4/AMP5 transition and recession. Each heading drills down to specific aspects – for example, on attitude respondents were asked to rank companies in terms of non-adversarial, co-operation, flexibility, respect and civility and spirit of partnering. Contract approach covered payment, terms and conditions, being fair and reasonable, allowing sufficient time, and changing of mind.

According to Paul Mullord, British Water's UK director the survey and its results should be seen as honest feedback by the supply chain and not in terms of criticism. Mr. Mullord will present the results of the survey, which was conducted in collaboration with Waterbriefing and IMS Consulting, at tomorrow's Institute of Water conference.

Water industry regulator Ofwat has said it will use the survey to 'monitor trends' in future.

Click here to access the results in full.