Northumbrian Water Group has received a ‘Big Tick’ in the Sustainable Products and Services category at the prestigious Responsible Business Awards 2014, run by Business in the Community.
The firm is the first waste water company in the UK to produce renewable energy from 100% of the sludge remaining after sewage treatment. Pioneering plants have been built at Tees Port and at Howdon on Tyneside in a £70m dual investment that will annually save millions of pounds in gas and electricity operating costs and help the company to significantly cut its carbon footprint by 20%.
Heidi Mottram, Chief Executive for Northumbrian Water Group, said:
“We’re serious about being the greenest water company, being recognised as industry leader and leading by example.
“We’re delighted to achieve a Big Tick for our innovative approaches to becoming more efficient and effective, such as being the first to make power from poo and also using reed beds for water treatment rather than energy and chemicals.
“Sustainability is at the heart of our vision and we’re proud to be leading the industry in seeking innovative new ways of working.”
Northumbrian Water Group also achieved two Big Tick Reaccreditations for its 2012 big ticks in the Environmental Leadership and Workwell categories. The company has been reaccredited this year for demonstrating the continuing positive impact of its award winning initiatives, including finding greener working alternatives and its health and wellbeing programme.
Commenting, Stephen Howard, Chief Executive, Business in the Community said:
“The Responsible Business Awards shine a much needed spotlight on the powerful impact of business. Each of the companies recognised are playing their part to build a new contract between business and society and a more sustainable future for us all. I congratulate Northumbrian Water Group for its Big Tick and Big Tick Reaccreditations, which are a powerful symbol of business doing more to bring about change.”
With the UK government demanding a 50% reduction in storm overflow spills by 2029, the era of reactive management is over. Speaking in the House of Commons on 21 July 2025, then environment secretary Steve Reed said, “This Government will cut water companies’ sewage pollution in half by the end of the decade.”
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