Scottish Water has secured the top position in the 2025 British Water Annual UK Water Company Performance Survey, reflecting strong performance in sustainability, communication, contractual approach, and alignment with policy.
The survey, run by industry trade association British Water, evaluates combined water and wastewater companies across 12 key areas of performance, including professionalism, innovation, and supply chain impact.
Key survey findings
- Scottish Water achieved the highest overall ranking and led on innovation, with an average score of 7.5 compared to the industry average of 6.3.
- United Utilities recorded the largest rise, moving from 10th in 2024 to joint third place with Anglian Water.
- Wessex Water fell four places, moving to eighth position.
- South West Water was ranked last, with low scores in digital working, AMP transition, and innovation.
For the fifth consecutive year, innovation scored lowest across the sector, highlighting the continuing challenge for water companies to adopt new approaches. Southern Water recorded the lowest innovation score, at 5.1 out of 10.
Digital transformation and AMP transition
Digital working was the second lowest-scoring area, with an industry average of 6.4. Despite a slight improvement, the results suggest that companies have yet to fully embrace methodologies such as Building Information Modelling (BIM).
The third lowest area was transition between regulatory Asset Management Plan (AMP) periods, particularly around reducing disruption, handling tender processes, and site access.
Supply chain engagement
Scottish Water also scored highest in supply chain engagement (7.8 against an industry average of 6.8). By contrast, South West Water and Southern Water ranked joint last in this category, with a score of 5.7.
British Water Chief Executive Lila Thompson said:
Lila Thompson, Chief Executive of British Water
“In today’s resource-constrained market, the supply chain plays a vital role in helping utilities meet customers’ expectations. Failure to engage could result in water companies underdelivering the vast programme of works in the AMP8 investment period for England and Wales, and other significant investment programmes across the UK.”
Innovation remains critical
British Water Head of Programmes, Dane Beauchamp, added:
“It is disappointing to see innovation continue to score poorly year-on-year, despite the pressing challenges facing our sector. Innovative ways of working and thinking are crucial for the water sector to address challenges such as population growth, climate change, and affordability, and many of our British Water members are ready to deploy proven, scalable solutions.”
About the survey
First undertaken in 2003, the annual survey captures the views of contractors, consultants, and suppliers on how water companies perform in key areas. The 2025 survey results, along with previous years, can be viewed at British Water.
