Severn Trent
A listed United Kingdom water and wastewater utility serving households and businesses across central England and adjacent areas.
Last updated August 21, 2026
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Overview
Severn Trent plc is a regulated water and wastewater utility headquartered in Coventry, England. Its principal operating company, Severn Trent Water, supplies drinking water and provides sewerage and wastewater-treatment services across a large area of the English Midlands, with adjoining service areas in the South West and Wales. The group serves approximately 4.6 million households and businesses, making it one of the United Kingdom's major regional water companies. The Severn Trent name comes from the Severn and Trent river catchments. The business began as the Severn Trent Water Authority in 1974, when regional water authorities were created to manage water resources, supply and sewage disposal. In 1989, following the privatisation of the water industry in England and Wales under the Water Act 1989, the authority's operating activities were transferred into Severn Trent Water, a privately owned regulated company. Severn Trent plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange and has been a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index. The company's core activities include abstraction and treatment of raw water, distribution through an extensive pipe network, wastewater collection, sewage treatment, sludge management, reservoir operation and environmental services. Its assets include treatment works, reservoirs, water mains, sewers and storm-overflow infrastructure. The group also has businesses operating beyond its regulated household franchise, including Severn Trent Services, which has provided technical, laboratory and water-related services in international markets. Water Plus, created with United Utilities in 2016, serves non-household retail customers in the deregulated English business-water market. Severn Trent has expanded and reshaped its operations through acquisitions and disposals. It acquired Biffa in 1991, later separating the waste-management business, and bought the East Worcestershire Waterworks Company in 1993. In 2017 it acquired Dee Valley Water. The Welsh operations were subsequently reorganised under Hafren Dyfrdwy, while the English part of the former Dee Valley area was incorporated into Severn Trent Water. The company moved its headquarters from Birmingham to a purpose-built centre in Coventry in 2010. It has invested in leakage detection, treatment capacity, environmental restoration and digital monitoring, including the use of thermal-imaging drones for infrastructure and reservoir inspections. Environmental performance remains central to its public positioning, although the company has also faced criticism and regulatory action over leakage, information quality, service interruptions and sewage discharges. Severn Trent operates within the framework of the Water Industry Act 1991 and is supervised by regulators including Ofwat and the Environment Agency. The brand is positioned as a regional public-utility provider whose value proposition rests on reliable water supply, wastewater services, environmental stewardship and long-term infrastructure investment. Its public profile combines the essential-service role of a regulated utility with a growing emphasis on river restoration, biodiversity, operational resilience and customer support.
History
Severn Trent's institutional history begins in 1974 with the creation of the Severn Trent Water Authority. The authority was one of the regional bodies established to coordinate water resources, potable-water supply and sewage disposal across England and Wales. Its name reflected the two principal river catchments within its territory: the Severn and the Trent. The structure changed fundamentally in 1989. The Water Act 1989 privatised the water-supply and sewage-disposal industry in England and Wales, transferring the authority's operational functions to Severn Trent Water. The newly privatised company inherited responsibility for serving approximately eight million people across the Midlands, together with smaller areas in Wales and the South West. Severn Trent plc subsequently became the listed parent and was admitted to the London Stock Exchange's main market. During the 1990s the group pursued diversification. It acquired Biffa in 1991, adding waste management to its activities, and bought the East Worcestershire Waterworks Company in 1993. The latter was a small statutory water company whose area was enclosed by Severn Trent's existing supply region, allowing the operations to be integrated. The Biffa business was later demerged, with the waste-management company eventually becoming separately listed. Severn Trent also developed businesses outside its regulated regional franchise. Severn Trent Laboratories and related service activities supplied analytical and technical capabilities to water and other industrial customers. In 2007, the American portion of Severn Trent Laboratories was sold to HIG Capital. In 2010, the remaining service activities were brought under the Severn Trent Services identity to create a more unified international presentation. The same year, the group relocated its headquarters from Birmingham to a purpose-built office complex in Coventry. The company experienced a major operational crisis during the 2007 floods in Gloucestershire. Floodwater entered the Mythe Water Treatment Works near Tewkesbury, contaminating the plant and causing the loss of running water for around 150,000 people in Cheltenham, Gloucester and Tewkesbury. The incident highlighted the importance of flood resilience and emergency supply planning for regional utilities. Regulatory scrutiny intensified in the following years. In 2008, Ofwat fined Severn Trent £35.8 million after finding deliberate provision of false information and poor customer service. A separate penalty, reduced from an earlier amount, concerned poor reporting and misleading leakage information. The company also faced criticism over high leakage levels in the 2010–11 period, when Ofwat identified Severn Trent's leakage percentage as the highest among water companies in England and Wales. In 2016, Severn Trent Water and United Utilities established Water Plus after receiving approval from the Competition and Markets Authority. The venture was designed to provide retail services to non-household customers following the opening of the English business-water market. In 2017, Severn Trent acquired Dee Valley Water, an adjoining water-only company. The subsequent reorganisation transferred Welsh water and wastewater operations into Hafren Dyfrdwy, while the English part of the former Dee Valley territory became part of Severn Trent Water. Environmental performance and infrastructure modernisation have become increasingly important to the brand. Severn Trent has supported habitat and wildlife projects in the Midlands and launched the Great Big Nature Boost programme in 2020. It has also used thermal-imaging drones since 2017 for leak detection, reservoir surveys, treatment-site inspections and other operational tasks. In 2024, the company reported achieving the highest four-star rating in the Environment Agency's Environmental Performance Assessment for a sixth consecutive year. At the same time, Severn Trent remains exposed to sector-wide criticism concerning sewage overflows, leakage, customer bills and financial structures. Its Strongford Treatment Works was fined over sewage discharges into the River Trent, while a 2024 BBC report questioned the accounting treatment of a group investment; Severn Trent denied the report's allegations. Leadership also changed in 2025 when James Jesic succeeded Liv Garfield, who had led the group for 11 years. The company continues as a listed, regulated utility whose central challenge is balancing reliable essential services, environmental obligations, capital investment and customer affordability.
- 2025
James Jesic becomes chief executive
[1]James Jesic replaced Liv Garfield as chief executive.
- 2024
Sixth consecutive four-star environmental rating
[1]The company retained the highest rating in the Environment Agency's Environmental Performance Assessment for a sixth successive year.
- 2020
Great Big Nature Boost launched
[1]Severn Trent introduced a programme supporting habitat, biodiversity and wildlife regeneration projects.
- 2017
Dee Valley Water acquired
[1]The acquisition expanded Severn Trent's adjoining water operations and led to a later division of Welsh and English service areas.
- 2016
Water Plus formed
[1]Severn Trent and United Utilities created Water Plus to serve non-household retail customers in the deregulated English market.
- 2010
Headquarters moved to Coventry
[1]The group relocated from Birmingham to a purpose-built headquarters in Coventry.
- 2008
Ofwat imposes major penalty
[1]Ofwat fined Severn Trent over false information and poor service, with a related penalty concerning leakage reporting.
- 2007
Mythe treatment works flooded
[1]Flooding at the Mythe works disrupted water supplies to approximately 150,000 people.
- 1993
East Worcestershire Waterworks acquired
[1]The company acquired and integrated the former statutory water company whose area was surrounded by Severn Trent's supply region.
- 1991
Biffa acquired
[1]Severn Trent expanded into waste management through the acquisition of Biffa.
Products and positioning
A regulated regional water and wastewater utility focused on essential service delivery, infrastructure resilience, environmental performance and river stewardship.
Regulated water and wastewater utility · 1989
Severn Trent Water
The group's principal regulated operating business supplies treated drinking water and collects and treats wastewater for households and businesses across much of the English Midlands, with adjoining areas in the South West and Wales. Its activities cover water abstraction, treatment, distribution, sewerage, sewage treatment, sludge handling and related infrastructure management.
Welsh water and wastewater utility · 2018
Hafren Dyfrdwy
Hafren Dyfrdwy is the Severn Trent group operating company responsible for the group's Welsh water and wastewater activities following the reorganisation associated with the Dee Valley Water acquisition. It operates under the regulatory framework applying to the Welsh water sector.
Business water retail · 2016
Water Plus
Water Plus is a joint venture established by Severn Trent and United Utilities to provide retail water and wastewater services to non-household customers in England. It was created in connection with the opening of the business-water market to competition and focuses on billing, account management and customer-facing retail services.
International water and technical services · 2010
Severn Trent Services
Severn Trent Services is the group identity for technical, analytical and other water-related services outside the core regulated regional utility. It consolidated activities previously presented under separate identities, including Severn Trent Laboratories, and has operated across international markets.
Controversies
2025
Dismissal following internal political speech
The company faced criticism after dismissing a sewage worker for comments posted on its intranet about Hamas and the October 7 attacks. The disciplinary action followed complaints concerning derogatory language and the company's diversity and inclusion commitments.
2024
Raw sewage discharges into the River Trent
Severn Trent was fined more than £2 million after discharging more than 260 million litres of raw sewage from Strongford Treatment Works during incidents between November 2019 and February 2020.
2024
Panorama accounting allegations
BBC Panorama alleged that the accounting treatment of the Severn Trent Trimpley investment overstated the group's financial strength by more than £1 billion. Severn Trent rejected the allegations as completely inaccurate.
2020
Severn Trent fined over sewage discharge into Row Brook
Severn Trent was fined £800,000 after pleading guilty to three charges relating to sewage discharges from its Acton Burnell treatment works. The Environment Agency said the discharges polluted the brook and had a significant impact on its ecology.
2008
False-information and leakage-reporting penalties
Ofwat found that Severn Trent had deliberately supplied false information and delivered poor service. A related penalty concerned misleading reporting and concealment of leakage data.
Marketing campaigns
- 2020Great Big Nature Boost
United Kingdom
A nature and biodiversity programme supporting wildlife regeneration and habitat projects in areas including Shropshire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and the Peak District.
Outcome. Supported multiple catchment and habitat initiatives; the cited material does not provide a consolidated financial or numerical outcome.
Brand decisions
2025
Chief executive successionOtherBackground
Liv Garfield stepped down after 11 years leading the group.
Action taken
James Jesic was appointed chief executive.
Aftermath
The appointment marked a change in executive leadership while the company continued its regulated utility strategy.
2020
Launch of the Great Big Nature BoostStrategyBackground
The company sought to connect water operations with biodiversity and catchment restoration.
Action taken
Severn Trent launched a programme supporting wildlife and habitat projects across parts of the Midlands and surrounding catchments.
Aftermath
The initiative became part of the company's environmental and river-stewardship positioning.
2017
Acquisition of Dee Valley WaterM&ABackground
Dee Valley Water operated in an area adjoining Severn Trent's existing region.
Action taken
Severn Trent acquired Dee Valley Water and subsequently reorganised the Welsh and English operating areas.
Aftermath
Welsh activities were placed in Hafren Dyfrdwy, while the English Chester-area operations joined Severn Trent Water.
2016
Creation of Water PlusM&ABackground
The English non-household water market was being opened to retail competition.
Action taken
Severn Trent and United Utilities formed Water Plus after Competition and Markets Authority approval.
Aftermath
The joint venture became the customer-facing retail platform for business water and wastewater services.
1989
Transition from water authority to privatised utilityStrategyBackground
The Water Act 1989 privatised the water and sewage industry in England and Wales.
Action taken
Severn Trent's operating functions were transferred into Severn Trent Water as a privately owned regulated company.
Aftermath
The business became part of the listed water-utility sector and continued serving its regional franchise under economic and environmental regulation.
Recent events
- 2025
Severn Trent appoints James Jesic as chief executive[1]
Leadership change
James Jesic succeeded Liv Garfield as chief executive after Garfield's 11-year tenure.
- 2016
Derbyshire customers receive do-not-use notice[1]
Other · Regulation
Thousands of households were advised not to use their tap water after elevated chlorine levels were detected in the supply.
- 2007
Flooding disrupted water treatment at Mythe[1]
Other · Regulation
Floodwater from the River Severn inundated the Mythe treatment works near Tewkesbury, contaminating incoming water and interrupting supplies to roughly 150,000 people.
Sources5 sources
- 1Severn Trenten.wikipedia.org
- 2Severn Trent official websiteseverntrent.com
- 3Severn Trent fined over sewage discharge into Row Brookshropshirestar.com
- 4Severn Trent fined £1.5m for the illegal discharge of sewageredditchstandard.co.uk
- 5Severn Trent fined £1.5million for leaking sewage into Worcestershire watermalverngazette.co.uk
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