Wessex Water is an industry leader for environmental performance for the fifth time in seven years, according to a new report by the Environment Agency.
The agency’s annual Environmental Performance Assessment (EPA) for 2017 shows that Wessex Water achieved ‘green’ status in six of seven metrics used to measure biodiversity, carbon footprint and bathing and river water quality.
For the third year running Wessex Water and United Utilities have received the top four-star rating, and they have been joined this year by Severn Trent. Nine water and sewerage companies were assessed in terms of pollution incidents, compliance with permits and managing sewage.
Richard Hargrave, head of compliance at Wessex Water, said: “No other company has been such a consistent performer since the introduction of the EPA.
“This achievement has resulted from a lot of hard work across the business, not just the sewerage and sewage treatment operational staff but other parts of the company such as the compliance team, engineering and construction and water resources.
“In fact, any member of staff who discourages their friends from flushing wet wipes or pouring fat down the sink is indirectly helping to improve our performance. It really is a massive cross-company effort.”
Toby Willison, executive director of operations for the Environment Agency, said: “Over the last 30 years there has been a significant improvement in water quality, and this has happened not only thanks to the industry’s massive investment but also the Environment Agency’s strong regulatory role.
“The leading companies in this report show that reducing their environmental impact can be done, so we look to companies to share good practice and improve quickly.”
