Executive Summary
The UK water sector faces mounting pressure over environmental performance, financial transparency, and executive pay. While water quality remains high, pollution incidents and sewage spills have drawn significant public and regulatory scrutiny. Recent years have seen record fines and growing calls for reform in governance, investment, and customer outcomes.
Industry Trends & Investment Considerations
Water Provider Comparison Table
| Provider | GoNoGo Score | Regulatory | Water Quality | Pollution | Financial | Customer | Sustainability | Accessibility | Features | Pollution Incidents (2022) | CEO | CEO Pay (£) | Shareholder Payouts (£m) | Employees | Leaks (2022) | Leaks Fixed (2022) | Maintenance Spend (£m) | Investment (£m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thames Water | 65 | 10/15 | 18/20 | 8/20 | 7/15 | 7/10 | 7/10 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 350 | Chris Weston | 2,100,000 | 37 (2022-23) | 6,800 | 32,000 | 28,000 | 1,250 | 1,800 |
| Southern Water | 58 | 8/15 | 17/20 | 6/20 | 8/15 | 6/10 | 7/10 | 3/5 | 3/5 | 280 | Lawrence Gosden | 1,200,000 | 0 (2022-23) | 2,900 | 18,000 | 15,000 | 550 | 750 |
| Severn Trent | 82 | 14/15 | 19/20 | 16/20 | 13/15 | 9/10 | 9/10 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 120 | Liv Garfield | 3,200,000 | 260 (2022-23) | 7,200 | 12,000 | 11,500 | 900 | 1,350 |
| United Utilities | 80 | 13/15 | 19/20 | 15/20 | 13/15 | 8/10 | 8/10 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 140 | Louise Beardmore | 1,500,000 | 300 (2022-23) | 5,500 | 14,000 | 13,000 | 1,000 | 1,500 |
| Anglian Water | 78 | 13/15 | 18/20 | 14/20 | 12/15 | 8/10 | 8/10 | 3/5 | 4/5 | 160 | Peter Simpson | 1,800,000 | 280 (2022-23) | 4,500 | 16,000 | 14,500 | 800 | 1,200 |
| Yorkshire Water | 75 | 12/15 | 18/20 | 13/20 | 11/15 | 8/10 | 7/10 | 3/5 | 4/5 | 180 | Nicola Shaw | 1,400,000 | 200 (2022-23) | 3,800 | 17,000 | 15,000 | 750 | 1,100 |
| Northumbrian Water | 76 | 12/15 | 18/20 | 13/20 | 11/15 | 8/10 | 8/10 | 3/5 | 4/5 | 150 | Heidi Mottram | 1,300,000 | 180 (2022-23) | 3,200 | 13,000 | 12,000 | 600 | 900 |
| Wessex Water | 77 | 13/15 | 18/20 | 14/20 | 11/15 | 8/10 | 8/10 | 3/5 | 4/5 | 130 | Colin Skellett | 1,200,000 | 190 (2022-23) | 2,800 | 12,000 | 11,000 | 550 | 850 |
| South West Water | 72 | 11/15 | 17/20 | 12/20 | 11/15 | 7/10 | 7/10 | 3/5 | 4/5 | 190 | Susan Davy | 1,600,000 | 150 (2022-23) | 2,500 | 15,000 | 13,0,00 | 500 | 800 |
| Welsh Water | 80 | 14/15 | 19/20 | 15/20 | 12/15 | 8/10 | 8/10 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 110 | Peter Perry | 1,000,000 | 0 (not-for-profit) | 3,000 | 10,000 | 9,500 | 600 | 1,000 |
| South East Water | 70 | 11/15 | 17/20 | 12/20 | 10/15 | 7/10 | 7/10 | 3/5 | 3/5 | 140 | David Hinton | 900,000 | 80 (2022-23) | 2,0,00 | 12,000 | 10,500 | 400 | 650 |
| Portsmouth Water | 78 | 13/15 | 18/20 | 14/20 | 11/15 | 8/10 | 8/10 | 3/5 | 4/5 | 90 | Bob Taylor | 800,000 | 40 (2022-23) | 600 | 4,000 | 3,800 | 150 | 250 |
| Hafren Dyfrdwy | 74 | 12/15 | 17/20 | 13/20 | 10/15 | 7/10 | 7/10 | 3/5 | 4/5 | 100 | James Jesic | 850,000 | 60 (2022-23) | 1,200 | 6,000 | 5,500 | 250 | 400 |
| Bristol Water | 76 | 12/15 | 18/20 | 13/20 | 11/15 | 8/10 | 8/10 | 3/5 | 4/5 | 110 | Mel Karam | 900,000 | 70 (2022-23) | 1,100 | 6,000 | 5,500 | 250 | 400 |
| SES Water | 73 | 11/15 | 17/20 | 12/20 | 10/15 | 7/10 | 7/10 | 3/5 | 3/5 | 100 | Ian Cain | 750,000 | 30 (2022-23) | 800 | 5,000 | 4,500 | 180 | 300 |
| Affinity Water | 71 | 11/15 | 17/20 | 12/20 | 10/15 | 7/10 | 7/10 | 3/5 | 3/5 | 130 | Pauline Walsh | 950,000 | 90 (2022-23) | 2,200 | 11,000 | 9,500 | 450 | 700 |
| Essex & Suffolk Water | 77 | 13/15 | 18/20 | 14/20 | 11/15 | 8/10 | 8/10 | 3/5 | 4/5 | 110 | Heidi Mottram | 1,100,000 | 100 (2022-23) | 2,100 | 10,000 | 9,000 | 400 | 650 |