Northumbrian Water scores 42/100 (Below expectations) on SINK's independent climate assessment — scored from public data only, no company payment can change a number. Last verified October 2026.
That places Northumbrian Water joint 303rd of 799 companies scored, and 6th of 11 in Water & Sewerage.
Northumbrian Water's net market-based operational emissions fell from 68.6 to 15.9 ktCO2e between 2019/20 and 2024/25, relying on renewable electricity and gas certificates, while gross location-based emissions moved from 163.3 to 152.6 kt. Natural gas use remains above its 2019/20 baseline. Its pollution incident rate was 39 per 10,000 km of sewer, rated red, and the Environment Agency rated it 2 stars for 2024. In June 2025 it agreed a £15.7m Ofwat enforcement package.
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SINK = (0.3 × Base + 0.7 × Performance) × ScaleStrongest on Transparency & Accountability and Carbon Footprint — Operations (8/10, 7/10). Weakest on Water Impact and Targets & Commitments (2/10, 3/10).
12 sources used in this assessment. All publicly available. Each row shows which rubric questions it informed.
“reported process emissions significantly (from 27ktCO2e to 126kTCO2e despite no significant changes on the ground)”
“Our emissions have been externally assured in accordance with ISO 14064-1, to ensure validity and transparency.”
“Of these 609 ktCO2e, the five largest categories being Capital/ Construction (35%), wastewater process emissions (21%), purchased goods and services (16%)”
“We own approximately 2,160 ha of land that has the conservation designation of SSSI.”
“97.2% numeric discharge permit compliance”
“In August 2024, Ofwat indicated Northumbrian would pay a £17m penalty (5% of relevant turnover)”
“The Group is ultimately owned by a consortium of long-term infrastructure investors, including companies within the CK Hutchison group and KKR.”
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Where Northumbrian Water sits among water & sewerage peers.
Among the 11 major water & sewerage brands we've scored, Northumbrian Water sits 6th of 11.
As Northumbrian Water's score updates, the trajectory will appear here.
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Northumbrian Water Limited supplies water and sewerage services in North East England and, as Essex & Suffolk Water, water in Essex and Suffolk. It is privately owned, was incorporated in 1989 and is headquartered in Durham. Its annual report for the year to 31 March 2026 reports revenue of £1,182.0m and an average of 3,844 employees. It is regulated by Ofwat and the Environment Agency.
Peer utility; England regional water and sewerage company, same regulatory regime and discharge reporting standards.
View breakdown →Peer utility; England's largest water and sewerage company, comparable wastewater and abstraction footprint.
View breakdown →Peer utility; England regional water and sewerage company subject to Environment Agency oversight and Ofwat performance assessment.
View breakdown →Peer water and sewerage company in Great Britain, same sector and regulatory model.
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