Severn Trent Plc.

• Public
• UK

Dow Jones Description

Severn Trent was formed in 1974 as a regional, state-owned water authority based in Birmingham and responsible for water management and supply, and waste water treatment and disposal, in the catchment areas of two of Britain's greatest rivers - the Severn and the Trent. It was from these rivers that it took its name. In the 18th century, responsibility for water supply and waste water treatment was shared between local Government and private companies. Suppliers of water treatment and waste water disposal each had different powers, charges and resources for investing in pipes (many of which were made of stone or even wood). The 19th century saw the proper organisation of local Government. As a result, many boroughs acquired powers to purchase their local water company. Nonetheless, the variety of different suppliers for water supply and sewage treatment created inefficiencies throughout the industry. By 1973, 29 river authorities covered England and Wales with 160 water supply undertakings and no less than 1,300 sewage treatment authorities. There was serious lack of investment in the distribution infrastructure and smaller undertakings did not lend themselves to economies of scale. The Water Act of 1973 brought together the many water and sewerage undertakings in England and Wales into ten water authorities, each responsible for water supply, sewage treatment and river protection within its area. ...

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Number of Employees 8,707

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