Wessex retains dividend to support resilience and investment

(by Verity Mitchell)

Wessex Water has reported full-year results with revenues of £797.5m up from £652.6m, and operating profit up 51% to 249.2m driven by increased regulatory allowances. Profit before tax increased 463% to £95.8m. Capex was £447m, up 6.7%. Management said it was "on track to deliver the [AMP8] programme,” despite the doubling of its size compared to AMP7.

The company did not declare a dividend for 2025-2026. Management said "this reflects the shareholders’ continued support for Wessex Water’s long‑term financial resilience and investment.” 

Gearing was stable at 71.3%. Chief executive Ruth Jefferson flagged success in particular in C-Mex, BR-Mex and sewer flooding, but disappointment in recording four serious pollution incidents and missed targets in leakage reduction.

Operationally, Wessex Water reached its targets for: water supply interruptions; burst main repairs; reduced internal and external sewer flooding; number of spills from storm overflows; sewer collapses; C-Mex; BR-Mex; customer satisfaction; wastewater activities; and sustainable abstraction.

It missed its targets for: security of supply; drinking water quality; customer contacts on drinking water quality; unplanned interruptions to supply; D-Mex; total pollution incidents, with four serious pollution incidents; treatment centres compliance; bathing water quality; phosphorus reduction; wastewater treatment; leakage reduction; water treatment; and business demand reduction.

There have been structural changes to improve efficiency. In April 2026, Wessex Water transferred its central support functions into a shared services company, YTL Services, which is a member of the broader YTL UK Group. Management said that this will enable the group to consolidate expertise, streamline processes, and improve the support delivered across all business entities.

• The Health and Safety Executive has confirmed it will pursue criminal charges against Wessex Water for offences under the Health and Safety at Work Act, after four workers tragically lost their lives in an explosion at the Avonmouth wastewater and biogas site in 2020. The police investigation into the incident was curtailed in 2024 because the evidence did not reach the extremely high threshold to prosecute for manslaughter.