# UNITED UTILITIES GRP

Summary updated: 2026-03-20T03:03:55.353621Z
Canonical: https://finbar.com/research/companies/united-utilities-grp

## Overview

United Utilities Group is a regulated utility focused on providing essential water and wastewater services, with the vast majority of its activities in its regulated business serving more than seven million people in the North West of England. The group’s revenue arises from services provided within the United Kingdom, making it a geographically concentrated UK utility rather than a globally diversified operator.[1](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P-c55aba1b01254b219de18db469fda299)[2](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P-597d721eafe74d2ebffc3a0a023800a0)

Its stated purpose is “to provide great water for a stronger, greener and healthier North West,” reflecting a mission centered on reliable core water services and broader environmental and community outcomes in its home region.[3](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P-2e4f3cb8d2a844fdb6c5ce09bc1a4dd8)[4](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P-4378ce6642fd446eb46ce2c0d918e48c)

As a broad indicator of scale, United Utilities reported revenue of £1,949.5 million for the year ended 31 March 2024 and employed an average of 6,035 full-time equivalent staff during the year.[5](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=T-3cfd6fc892864273a983f7f936123e6b)[6](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=T-9ad442055871406dac47019d806aa77b)
[1](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P-c55aba1b01254b219de18db469fda299)[2](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P-597d721eafe74d2ebffc3a0a023800a0)[3](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P-2e4f3cb8d2a844fdb6c5ce09bc1a4dd8)[4](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P-4378ce6642fd446eb46ce2c0d918e48c)[5](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=T-3cfd6fc892864273a983f7f936123e6b)[6](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=T-9ad442055871406dac47019d806aa77b)

## Products & services

United Utilities’ main products are regulated water and wastewater services, which account for more than 97% of group revenue. Its water service treats raw water at 86 water treatment works, stores it in covered reservoirs, and delivers an average of 1.8 billion litres of drinking water a day through more than 43,000 kilometres of water pipes to more than 7 million people and businesses. Its wastewater service collects used water through more than 79,000 kilometres of wastewater pipes and sewers, with 54% of the sewer network being combined sewers, and treats flows at 583 wastewater treatment works before returning water to the environment. [7](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P-ffe37f1aeb39408d98e2e3f0ddd7ac40)[8](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P-e51eef2452fe4efb9299e51f088e2241)[9](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P-9d7ff8e2fd7b4b7b92ad2dbce7fd4c57)

Around these core utility products, the company offers retail-style customer services including meter reading, billing, account management services, and water efficiency support for households. For business and retailer customers, it provides retailer metering and a meter reading service, while its business-customer portal also covers practical service areas such as emergency help, leakage advice, sewer and blockage support, and smart meter information. Non-household retail services are provided through the Water Plus joint venture, reflecting the competitive business retail market. [10](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P-2015a9235b6f45248a17b2d0c3641fe1)[11](https://www.unitedutilities.com/Business-services/retailers/retailer-services/retailer-metering/)[12](https://www.unitedutilities.com/Business-services/retailers/meter-reading-service/)[13](https://www.unitedutilities.com/Business-services/business-customers/)[14](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P-6d9ff909e3e74e79b05fe84f2bef80c9)

United Utilities also offers developer services tied to network access and asset changes, including new water connections, sewer connections, sewer adoptions, and sewer diversions. In its revenue recognition disclosures, it describes capital income streams from diversions work and related activities for property developers that facilitate an authorised connection through which properties can obtain water and wastewater services. In bioresources, it treats more than 200,000 dry tonnes of sewage sludge a year using digestion technologies, producing biogas and biosolids; the company characterises this activity as generating renewable energy. It also highlights technical network-monitoring capability through an “industry leading sewer sensor capability.” [15](https://www.unitedutilities.com/builders-developers/water-services/water-connections/new-water-connections/)[16](https://unitedutilities.com/builders-developers/wastewater-services/sewer-connections/sewer-connection)[17](https://www.unitedutilities.com/builders-developers/wastewater-services/sewer-adoptions/adopt-a-sewer/)[18](https://www.unitedutilities.com/builders-developers/wastewater-services/sewer-diversions/diverting-a-sewer/)[19](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P-48954abfe4db4272808901075ac43d80)[20](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P-1327764c0ce94804881812af13eb68e5)[21](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P-232dce2623454401ad01b892bdfadd33)[22](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P-4e6ad2e6de2b4f418ca11580c47cbca0)
[7](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P-ffe37f1aeb39408d98e2e3f0ddd7ac40)[8](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P-e51eef2452fe4efb9299e51f088e2241)[9](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P-9d7ff8e2fd7b4b7b92ad2dbce7fd4c57)[10](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P-2015a9235b6f45248a17b2d0c3641fe1)[14](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P-6d9ff909e3e74e79b05fe84f2bef80c9)[19](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P-48954abfe4db4272808901075ac43d80)[20](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P-1327764c0ce94804881812af13eb68e5)[21](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P-232dce2623454401ad01b892bdfadd33)[22](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P-4e6ad2e6de2b4f418ca11580c47cbca0)[10](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P-2015a9235b6f45248a17b2d0c3641fe1)[14](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P-6d9ff909e3e74e79b05fe84f2bef80c9)[11](https://www.unitedutilities.com/Business-services/retailers/retailer-services/retailer-metering/)[12](https://www.unitedutilities.com/Business-services/retailers/meter-reading-service/)[13](https://www.unitedutilities.com/Business-services/business-customers/)[15](https://www.unitedutilities.com/builders-developers/water-services/water-connections/new-water-connections/)[16](https://unitedutilities.com/builders-developers/wastewater-services/sewer-connections/sewer-connection)[17](https://www.unitedutilities.com/builders-developers/wastewater-services/sewer-adoptions/adopt-a-sewer/)[18](https://www.unitedutilities.com/builders-developers/wastewater-services/sewer-diversions/diverting-a-sewer/)

## Geographic presence

United Utilities Group’s operations are concentrated in the North West of England. Its regulated water and wastewater business serves the five counties of Cumbria, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Merseyside, spanning areas from rural Cumbria to the major urban centres of Liverpool and Manchester. The group provides water and wastewater services to more than seven million people in this region, and its operating footprint is described as North West England.[23](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P-3cd329a542b1467aba10f3b039fd0aff)[24](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P-38c961a1e7b14501ab0cbfca3d0823dc)[1](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P-c55aba1b01254b219de18db469fda299)[25](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=T-794ee88b0e4e4eff97e5eb2af6b367b4)

Geographically, the group’s revenue is UK-based rather than internationally diversified: its principal subsidiary operates solely in the UK, revenue arises from services within the United Kingdom, and the business is managed and reported as a single segment rather than by country or region.[26](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P-f10b0fb111a241bf8d9d5d2a4979e42a)[2](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P-597d721eafe74d2ebffc3a0a023800a0)[27](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P-22dec61ebedf47158fc3c24802e912b3) The company’s head office and registered office are in Warrington, at Haweswater House, Lingley Mere Business Park, Great Sankey, and the report also refers to main offices in Warrington.[28](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P-5242da07c2fa4c83973f33fe70f0af6f)[29](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P-389717dd3a864ce2ad79c3f133b6f399)[30](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P-6ea96b5aceef41d388b65c261f4f522c)
[23](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P-3cd329a542b1467aba10f3b039fd0aff)[24](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P-38c961a1e7b14501ab0cbfca3d0823dc)[1](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P-c55aba1b01254b219de18db469fda299)[25](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=T-794ee88b0e4e4eff97e5eb2af6b367b4)[26](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P-f10b0fb111a241bf8d9d5d2a4979e42a)[2](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P-597d721eafe74d2ebffc3a0a023800a0)[27](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P-22dec61ebedf47158fc3c24802e912b3)[28](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P-5242da07c2fa4c83973f33fe70f0af6f)[29](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P-389717dd3a864ce2ad79c3f133b6f399)[30](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P-6ea96b5aceef41d388b65c261f4f522c)

## Business segments

United Utilities Group does not report multiple operating segments externally; its board is provided information on a single-segment basis for assessing performance and allocating resources, and the group therefore states that it has a single segment for financial reporting purposes [27](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P-22dec61ebedf47158fc3c24802e912b3). The board reviews revenue, operating profit, gearing and operational drivers at a consolidated level rather than by separately disclosed divisions [27](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P-22dec61ebedf47158fc3c24802e912b3).

The activity underlying that single segment is overwhelmingly the regulated water and wastewater business. The company says the vast majority of its activities sit within United Utilities Water Limited, the regulated water and wastewater operator in the North West of England [31](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P-480609379a4846429f0a1efbe779b559)[32](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P-8ebeb29dfd34426183a7e4db17cd2217). In the 2023 annual report, it further stated that the principal activities generating more than 99% of group revenue sit within United Utilities Water Limited [33](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P-8655d99791164858a898bb3e68842f3a). On that basis, the segment mix is approximately 100% the single reported segment, with more than 99% of revenue tied to the regulated water and wastewater operation [27](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P-22dec61ebedf47158fc3c24802e912b3)[33](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P-8655d99791164858a898bb3e68842f3a).
[27](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P-22dec61ebedf47158fc3c24802e912b3)[31](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P-480609379a4846429f0a1efbe779b559)[32](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P-8ebeb29dfd34426183a7e4db17cd2217)[33](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P-8655d99791164858a898bb3e68842f3a)

## Company history

United Utilities’ roots lie in the 1989 privatisation of the water industry in England and Wales, when North West Water plc was created as one of the successor companies to the regional water authorities.[34](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1989/1465/schedule/made) The group in its modern form dates from 1995, when North West Water merged with NORWEB to create United Utilities.[35](https://www.unitedutilities.com/corporate/about-us)[36](https://www.unitedutilities.com/globalassets/documents/corporate-documents/united-utilites-plc-mar-24.pdf)

A major strategic shift came in December 2007, when the group sold United Utilities Electricity to North West Electricity Networks Limited for a total enterprise value of £1.782 billion.[37](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P-00cc510e3bb44c47a6493613a8613419) In the year ended March 2009, United Utilities PLC was reverse-acquired by United Utilities Group PLC as part of a corporate reorganisation that also supported a return of capital to shareholders.[38](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P-f66fbf301a2f409d9eee8c645d6de62f)[39](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P-97d4e7c18f2245edbdd5ab4734296cc2) The company then completed its non-regulated disposal programme in November 2010, ending a four-year portfolio reshaping that included disposals of interests such as Northern Gas Networks, Manila Water, its Australian business and other non-core operations, leaving it focused on regulated UK water and wastewater activities.[40](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P-60a1e24223e84eb3bb3162f4b23fb3b7)[41](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P-e7e00c8d42c949349a426742e10427d8)
[37](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P-00cc510e3bb44c47a6493613a8613419)[38](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P-f66fbf301a2f409d9eee8c645d6de62f)[39](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P-97d4e7c18f2245edbdd5ab4734296cc2)[40](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P-60a1e24223e84eb3bb3162f4b23fb3b7)[41](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P-e7e00c8d42c949349a426742e10427d8)[34](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1989/1465/schedule/made)[35](https://www.unitedutilities.com/corporate/about-us)[36](https://www.unitedutilities.com/globalassets/documents/corporate-documents/united-utilites-plc-mar-24.pdf)

## Sources

1. [UNITED UTILITIES GRP — Full financial report (2024 Y), p10](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P-c55aba1b01254b219de18db469fda299)
2. [UNITED UTILITIES GRP — Full financial report (2024 Y), p96](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P-597d721eafe74d2ebffc3a0a023800a0)
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11. [www.unitedutilities.com](https://www.unitedutilities.com/Business-services/retailers/retailer-services/retailer-metering/)
12. [www.unitedutilities.com](https://www.unitedutilities.com/Business-services/retailers/meter-reading-service/)
13. [www.unitedutilities.com](https://www.unitedutilities.com/Business-services/business-customers/)
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15. [www.unitedutilities.com](https://www.unitedutilities.com/builders-developers/water-services/water-connections/new-water-connections/)
16. [unitedutilities.com](https://unitedutilities.com/builders-developers/wastewater-services/sewer-connections/sewer-connection)
17. [www.unitedutilities.com](https://www.unitedutilities.com/builders-developers/wastewater-services/sewer-adoptions/adopt-a-sewer/)
18. [www.unitedutilities.com](https://www.unitedutilities.com/builders-developers/wastewater-services/sewer-diversions/diverting-a-sewer/)
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32. [UNITED UTILITIES GRP — Full financial report (2024 Y), p117](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P-8ebeb29dfd34426183a7e4db17cd2217)
33. [UNITED UTILITIES GRP — Full financial report (2023 Y), p2](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P-8655d99791164858a898bb3e68842f3a)
34. [www.legislation.gov.uk](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1989/1465/schedule/made)
35. [www.unitedutilities.com](https://www.unitedutilities.com/corporate/about-us)
36. [www.unitedutilities.com](https://www.unitedutilities.com/globalassets/documents/corporate-documents/united-utilites-plc-mar-24.pdf)
37. [UNITED UTILITIES GRP — Full financial report (2010 Y), p81](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P-00cc510e3bb44c47a6493613a8613419)
38. [UNITED UTILITIES GRP — Full financial report (2025 Y), p108](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P-f66fbf301a2f409d9eee8c645d6de62f)
39. [UNITED UTILITIES GRP — Full financial report (2025 Y), p108](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P-97d4e7c18f2245edbdd5ab4734296cc2)
40. [UNITED UTILITIES GRP — Full financial report (2011 Y), p6](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P-60a1e24223e84eb3bb3162f4b23fb3b7)
41. [UNITED UTILITIES GRP — Full financial report (2011 Y), p5](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P-e7e00c8d42c949349a426742e10427d8)

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