Severn Trent Water - Our industry
The achievements of the water industry in the 20 years since privatisation are well documented – service to customers has improved, new drinking water standards have been met, tighter environmental standards have been achieved and new investment attracted.
These successes have been driven by an effective regulatory framework which has incentivised companies to become more efficient, so keeping bills lower than they would otherwise have been. The framework has also provided investor confidence, allowing companies to attract financing for an investment programme of around £85 billion over the last 20 years to deliver the improvements.
However, the successes of the last 20 years have not been without consequences. Water company debt has increased significantly, customers face higher bills and carbon emissions have increased.
