Northumbrian Water crowned best in the country at major industry awards

Northumbrian Water has been named ‘Water Company of the Year’ at the prestigious Water Industry Awards 2026.

The water supplier, which serves 2.7 million customers across the North East, scooped the top prize at the national event in Birmingham on Wednesday, June 24, recognising its strong performance for customers, the environment and innovation.

It also picked up further recognition for its work across the industry, including:

• Winner – “Asset Management Initiative of the Year” for its Digital Eye for CSO Excellence project with Vyntelligence
• Highly commended – “Wastewater Project of the Year” for its work at Coundon Burn, County Durham with Esh‑Stantec
• Highly commended – “Groundbreaker Award” for its Pipebot Patrol project with University of Sheffield, Cura Terrae Water, Minicam and Spring Innovation.

The awards come after Northumbrian Water was recently named top in the industry’s customer satisfaction rankings, set by Ofwat known as C-MeX, for the second year running – the only water company to do so.

The company has focused on improving services for customers, protecting the environment and using new technology to prevent issues before they happen.

Its approach includes using data to better understand when customers may need extra support, alongside investment in smarter monitoring to reduce pollution risk and improve response times.

Heidi Mottram, Chief Executive at Northumbrian Water, said: “We know how important the services we provide are to people’s everyday lives, and this award reflects the hard work our teams put in day in, day out for our customers, our communities and the environment.

“To be named Water Company of the Year, while also topping the industry for customer satisfaction for a second year running, shows the difference our people are making.”

Utility Week editor-in-chief, and chair of the judges, James Wallin, said: “The diversity and innovation displayed throughout our winning entries is testament to the real progress the water sector is making. If evidence is required that water companies and their partners are stepping up to meet the expectations of the public, here it is.”