According to a report in today's Daily Mirror newspaper, water firms are set to face “an angry backlash” as they prepare to reveal profits of £2 billion.
Writing in today’s edition, Deputy Business Editor Graham Hiscott said that the expected bonanza has renewed criticism that they are putting shareholders before customers. Commenting on the upcoming announcements of annual results, Hiscott said
“ Suppliers have been raking it in on the back of record-breaking bills – but have still to plug massive leaks while complaints are surging. …..and industry regulator Ofwat has allowed inflation-busting prices.”
A briefing paper on the forthcoming results issued by Water UK, the body that represents UK water and wastewater service suppliers, has pointed out that today's average water bill would be £100 higher without the efficiency savings made by the companies. The paper also states that while water company profits can look high when compared with other sectors this is because their capital investment is high compared with other sectors. Water UK said
“It is meaningless to quote or compare profits without quoting the investment they allow and the rate of return to investors.”
Uniwater has acquired Hy-Ram Engineering, a specialist in tooling, products and hire for the water sector, based in Mansfield, England.
Enpure Ltd and Clean TeQ Water Ltd have announced a collaboration agreement to bring Clean TeQ Water's Moving Bed Ion Exchange-based nutrient removal technologies to water utilities across the UK.
Near-real-time microbial monitoring of wastewater discharge and bathing waters is now possible thanks to the BactoSense ID solution created by Swiss-based bNovate Technologies.
ABB has launched AquaMaster+™, a digital platform for smart water network management, designed to help water utilities monitor, analyze and manage their water networks, preventing pipeline water losses and optimizing operations.
Southern Water has released film and images showing what it’s like to walk inside Hampshire’s expanded Yew Hill underground reservoir for the very last time, before it gets filled with water.
Hear how Scottish Water has completed its £235 million Ayrshire Glasgow Resilience Project - customers across Greater Glasgow, Ayrshire and East Renfrewshire will now benefit from a more secure and resilient water supply.
Hear how United Utilities is accelerating its investment to reduce spills from storm overflows across the Northwest.