Wessex Water

Parent company:         YTL Utilities (UK) Ltd

Regulated utility:         Wessex Water Ltd

Ownership:                   YTL Malaysian construction company

One of the smallest water companies but regarded by many as the best managed. It has always had a reputation for being one of the most efficient water and sewerage operators and ranks towards the top of the OFWAT league table. The company is now focused entirely on the water sector having divested its interest in waste management several years ago. The company is innovative technically with schemes like the world's largest membrane treatment plant at Swanage and a smaller scheme also on waste water at Porlock. Over the course of the next AMP period (2010-2015) Wessex are investing around £1 billion. Its biggest scheme is a major new water grid designed to improve security supply and costing £289m

Wessex Water was bought from Enron by YTL Utilities (UK) LTD a wholly owned subsidiary of the Malaysian company YTL Power International. YTL is one of the 10 largest companies in Malaysia with interests in power generation, construction contracting, cement manufacture, property development and hotel, resorts and leisure.

The business was bought by YTL in 2002 for £545 million in cash plus assumed debt of £945 million. YTL is a family owned business run by the sons of the founder. The change has bought an increased focus back on the core business and lead to more work being done in house. YTL have proved consistent owners providing stability and certainty and giving Wessex freedom to concentrate on their core activity. Wessex Water have a district preference for working with smaller regional businesses.

Wessex remains at the top of the Ofwat league table as one of the most efficient water and sewerage companies