RE: Most polluting water company in England last year was United Utilities.12 Apr 2023 14:52
Thanks for that RoyGa. Water pollution is certainly one of the most urgent environmental issues that we face as a society, but it's too easy to simply blame water companies for this. The current model is based on ongoing discussion between OFWAT and water companies to decide how much capital expenditure should be made by the companies and how much profit is reasonable on top of that. OFWAT is clearly mindful that if capital expenditure is 'too high' then it is consumers who will have to 'pay the bill'. Yet, we have creaking water infrastructure that urgently needs to be upgraded and if it is not then we will continue to have these horrific spills and ensuing environmental degradation.
The government clearly needs to get more involved in deciding how much we should spend, how the cost is split between central tax allocations and consumer bill increases and how, and to what extent, businesses are incentivised for their role in delivering the improvements. I don't think we necessarily need a Labour-style nationalisation agenda, but if this is not effectively regulated and managed then this could be where this goes. The Thames Tidal Tunnel, with it's cost of c£5Bn, is an interesting case study, with the involvement of Thames Water, government, OFWAT and SPVs in its funding. From what I've read, though, there may be many lessons to be learned!
The reason I invest in utilities like UU, is that they give a clear and stable rate of return which seems to be reasonable and they perform a useful social and economic purpose. It feels like a perfect long-term investment for my pension fund. I have bought and sold a couple of times (I'm thinking about it now, because the SP is starting to get a bit toppy in my book), but generally I sit on it and reinvest the divi.