CEO Today UK Awards 2021

Company Profile www. severnt rent . com We were founded in 1974 as a regional, state-owned water authority based in the Midlands and responsible for water supply management, and waste water treatment and disposal. Located in the catchment areas of two of Britain’s largest rivers - the Severn and the Trent, it’s from these rivers that we get our name. How our water industry started At the start of the 19th century, clean water supply and waste water treatment in England and Wales was owned and operated by local government and private companies. These suppliers all had different powers, charges and resources for investing in pipes and equipment. During the 19th century, many local councils took over responsibility for the actions of the private companies. By 1973, in England and Wales there were 29 river authorities, 160 water supply undertakers, and 1,300 sewage treatment authorities. In 1974, the Water Act 10 Regional Water Authorities (RWA) were created by bringing together all these companies. The RWA took over the water supply from the 29 River Authorities, and ran sewage treatment through government agents. Each were responsible for clean water supply, sewage removal and treatment, as well as river protection in it’s area. These were led by a board with local authority and central government representatives. Severn Trent Water Authority was one of the 10 original water authorities. After a lack of available government funding, there was a decline in the quality of river and tap water and infrastructure stability during this period. It was decided by the government in the mid-80’s to privatise the water industry. Through loans and private shares being issued, there was a much needed cash investment through the new privately owned water companies. This helped to improve the infrastructure as well as water quality across the rivers, beaches and from customers taps. These 10 River Water Authorities passed into private ownership in 1989. Putting your water in safe hands In 1989, privisation our the water industry saw the formation of Severn Trent Plc, the parent company for Severn Trent Water. As a private company, Severn Trent Water invested heavily in replacing and repairing its assets and infrastructure. As well as complying with government legislation it set its own internal standards on issues such as public health, leakage reduction and the cleanliness of rivers and other water sources in its catchment region. The group also began to build a products and services business in theUnitedStates beginning with the acquisition of Capital Controls Company in 1990. Since that time, Severn Trent Plc has built a portfolio of companies, known as Severn Trent Services. Severn Trent Services provides water and waste water treatment and operating services to utilities, municipalities and commercial customers. 43 CEO TODAY UNITED KINGDOM AWARDS 2021 Water Services