REG - Severn Trent PLC - ST Plc confirms third year of 4-star EPA status

Severn TrentAnnouncement

14/07/2022 08:00

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RNS Number : 4722S  Severn Trent PLC  14 July 2022

Severn Trent Plc confirms third year of 4-star EPA status

 

We confirm today that we have been awarded 4-star Environmental Performance
Assessment ('EPA') status by the Environment Agency for the third year
running, reflecting our long-standing commitment to the environment. We are
one of three companies to be awarded the highest rating on environmental
performance.

 

The EPA is a tool for comparing performance between water companies and
includes six key metrics:

 

1.    Discharge permit compliance

This measure reflects the performance of site compliance with numeric
discharge permit conditions. We have achieved green status for the third
consecutive year on this metric in 2021, as our teams continue to prioritise
compliance through our unique "communication cell" approach, which underpins
our performance culture.

 

2.    Pollution incidents

For the second consecutive year we have achieved green status on this measure,
close to our best-ever performance (achieved in 2020). We are making good
progress with our plan to reduce pollutions by 50% by 2025, from a 2020
baseline. We are rolling out 40,000 sewer sensors across our network this AMP
and using data analytics to identify and fix problems before they cause a
pollution.

 

3.    Serious pollution incidents

We have made significant progress in our performance since 2018 and in both
2019 and 2020 we achieved green status. While our performance remains ahead of
the sector average, we are disappointed to achieve amber status on this metric
in 2021. It is a key area of focus for us and at the halfway point of 2022
there have been zero confirmed serious pollution incidents, which we are
working hard to maintain.

 

4.    Self-reporting of pollution incidents

This measures the percentage of category 1 to 3 pollution incidents
self-reported by a water company. We have seen a year-on year improvement from
2020 to 2021, meeting the 90% threshold at pumping stations and sewage
treatment works and hitting green for total self-reported pollutions. For the
last four years our metric has been green. We expect to maintain this as we
introduce more extensive monitoring on our network and fully deploy our new
River Rangers team.

 

5.    Supply Demand Balance Index

This metric assesses how the actual supply demand balance has performed
compared to what is set out in a water company's Water Resources Management
Plan. For 2021 this is a new measure and we were pleased to be assessed as
green.

 

6.    Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP)

This metric relates to the delivery of investment required to ensure we meet
tightening environmental standards. In FY22 we delivered over 900 WINEP
schemes, of which over 300 counted towards our EPA, achieving 100% and green
status. Our WINEP programme is a vital component of our Get River Positive
plan, in particular our commitments to reduce the average number of spills to
20 by 2025, and zero RNAGs (Reasons for Not Achieving Good ecological status)
from our operations by 2030.

 

Liv Garfield, Chief Executive, Severn Trent Plc, said:

 

"The environment is at the heart of everything we do and we're pleased to have
again been recognised as a leading performer in the sector, achieving the
Environment Agency's highest four-star rating for the third year running. That
said we are not complacent, and we know there is more to do.  Whether it's
our Get River Positive pledges, creating bathing quality stretches of river or
introducing lost species, we are continuing to work hard to enhance nature
across our region. We're focussed on continually improving our performance and
preserving our region's most precious natural resource for the benefit of our
customers and communities."

Enquiries

 Investors & Analysts
 Rachel Martin               Severn Trent Plc        +44 (0) 7824 624 011
 Head of Investor Relations

 Dominique Mowle             Severn Trent Plc        +44 (0) 7967 767 079
 Investor Relations Manager

 Media
 Jonathan Sibun              Tulchan Communications  +44 (0) 207 353 4200
 Press Office                Severn Trent Plc        +44 (0) 247 771 5640

 

Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking statements

This document contains statements that are, or may be deemed to be,
'forward-looking statements' with respect to Severn Trent's financial
condition, results of operations and business and certain of Severn Trent's
plans and objectives with respect to these items.

 

Forward-looking statements are sometimes, but not always, identified by their
use of a date in the future or such words as 'anticipates', 'aims', 'due',
'could', 'may', 'will', 'would', 'should', 'expects', 'believes', 'intends',
'plans', 'projects', 'potential', 'reasonably possible', 'targets', 'goal',
'estimates' or words with a similar meaning, and, in each case, their negative
or other variations or comparable terminology. Any forward-looking statements
in this document are based on Severn Trent's current expectations and, by
their very nature, forward-looking statements are inherently unpredictable,
speculative and involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and
depend on circumstances that may or may not occur in the future.

 

Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and no
assurances can be given that the forward-looking statements in this document
will be realised. There are a number of factors, many of which are beyond
Severn Trent's control, that could cause actual results, performance and
developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these
forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to: the
Principal Risks and uncertainties detailed in this document; the Principal
Risks disclosed in our latest Annual Report and Accounts (which have not been
updated since the date of its publication); changes in the economies and
markets in which the Group operates; changes in the regulatory and competition
frameworks in which the Group operates; the impact of legal or other
proceedings against or which affect the Group; and changes in interest and
exchange rates.

 

All written or verbal forward-looking statements, made in this document or
made subsequently, which are attributable to Severn Trent or any other member
of the Group or persons acting on their behalf are expressly qualified in
their entirety by the factors referred to above. No assurances can be given
that the forward-looking statements in this document will be realised. This
document speaks as at the date of publication.  Save as required by
applicable laws and regulations, Severn Trent does not intend to update any
forward-looking statements and does not undertake any obligation to do so.
Past performance of securities of Severn Trent Plc cannot be relied upon as a
guide to the future performance of securities of Severn Trent Plc.

 

Nothing in this document should be regarded as a profits forecast.

 

This document is not an offer to sell, exchange or transfer any securities of
Severn Trent Plc or any of its subsidiaries and is not soliciting an offer to
purchase, exchange or transfer such securities in any jurisdiction. Securities
may not be offered, sold or transferred in the United States absent
registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of
the US Securities Act of 1933 (as amended).

 

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