A powerful efficiency on contractual method, collaboration and communication has catapulted Scottish Water to the highest of the 2023 annual water firm survey carried out by British Water.

Key findings from the survey embrace:

• Final yr’s joint lowest performing water firm, Southern Water, has risen by one place to tenth, whereas Northern Eire Water stays in final place
• The best scoring firm for innovation stays Northumbrian Water
• Probably the most important drop was Anglian Water, down from 2nd place in 2022 to eighth in 2023
• Probably the most important rise was Severn Trent Water, which rose from tenth place final yr to fifth in 2023

British Water’s annual UK Water Firm Efficiency Survey asks contractors, consultants and suppliers to charge their purchasers’ efficiency in 12 areas, together with professionalism, contractual method and communication.

Innovation continues to be the bottom scoring space – at a time when there are widespread requires water firms to search out new methods of working to deal with key challenges. The common rating for innovation was 6.4, though it has risen barely from final yr’s common rating of 6.2 out of ten.

Northumbrian Water led the pack with a mean innovation rating of seven.9, whereas Northern Eire Water and South West Water had been considerably under the trade common, every scoring 5.4.

“It’s important that cultures that foster a wholesome ecosystem wherein provide chain firms can function and innovate successfully are embedded inside and throughout water firms, for one of the best outcomes for patrons and the atmosphere,” stated Lila Thompson, chief govt of British Water. “As soon as these are in place, a thriving sector will observe.”

“We’re persevering with to see low scores for innovation, procurement, communication and AMP transition, and this can be a clear indication that work nonetheless must be finished as we method the following five-year Asset Administration Plan interval (AMP8), which begins in 2025,” added Thompson.

The second lowest scoring areas within the survey are working digitally, the power to implement workforce contingency plans to maintain operations, and the power of companions and foremost contractors to observe coverage.

The Water Trade Discussion board (WIF), which operates as a impartial and unbiased discussion board of British Water, tackles challenges going through the UK water sector by way of thought management and facilitated collaborative working.

WIF is trying on the suggestions raised in British Water’s Provide Chain Process Drive on innovation, cyclicality and procurement/T&Cs and can think about the areas highlighted in the newest survey.

Thompson welcomed the event. “WIF is a crucial organisation for the water trade,” she stated. “It gives a discussion board for dialogue, debate, collaboration, innovation, and thought management, which, because the survey outcomes spotlight, are essential areas for growth throughout the sector”

British Water’s annual survey was first undertaken in early 2003 in response to firms asking for suggestions on how they had been considered by the trade provide chain, and the way they had been seen to check with others. The survey seeks views of people working within the trade fairly than a company standpoint.

The survey displays quite a lot of opinions throughout the provision chain at each stage of enterprise. This vary of views gives precious insights for the trade into how water firms work together with their provide chain, how the provision chain feels about this, and the progress water utilities have made through the years.

Learn extra concerning the surveys and the way they are often interpreted right here.

The 2023 survey outcomes, and people from earlier years, may be seen considered right here: https://www.britishwater.co.uk/web page/SupplyChainImpactSurveys