South Staffs Water

What South Staffs Water does

South Staffordshire Water PLC, trading as South Staffs Water, is a regulated water-only utility serving over 565,000 households and 33,000 business customers across the South Staffordshire region of England under an Ofwat-appointed geographic monopoly. Founded in 1853 and headquartered in Walsall, the company operates as the principal water supply subsidiary of South Staffordshire Plc, supplying on average 323 million litres of drinking water daily sourced from groundwater boreholes, the Blithfield Reservoir, and the River Severn via Chelmarsh Reservoir. Treatment involves sieving, chemical coagulation, filtration through gravel and carbon, chlorine disinfection, and targeted fluoride adjustment to 1mg/l at the request of Public Health England (excluding the UTT zone).

The business operates a fixed water distribution network of treatment works, service reservoirs, pumping stations, and water mains, with the technology stack complemented by customer-facing digital channels including the MyAccount web portal and iOS/Android mobile application for billing, meter reading, and account management. Core products include household and business water supply, new and replacement connections, self-lay provider coordination, leak detection and repair, water quality testing in a UKAS-accredited laboratory, and developer services. An emerging innovation, the Space Eye project with the University of Wolverhampton (funded by £1.3M from Ofwat's Water Breakthrough Challenge 5), deploys six AI-enabled Low-Earth Orbit microsatellites using the Quub platform for satellite-based leakage detection.

Revenue is generated through regulated subscription and usage-based tariffs: metered customers are billed on cubic metres consumed plus a standing charge, while unmetered customers are billed by rateable value. Developer services, new connection fees, and self-lay/NAV arrangements provide transaction-fee revenue. Sewerage charges are collected on behalf of Severn Trent Water to enable single-bill customer service. Distribution is fully direct via the company's owned infrastructure network, with no competitive customer acquisition motion given the regulated monopoly structure. The company is privately held (despite PLC status) as a subsidiary of South Staffordshire Plc and has not publicly disclosed its revenue; a 2022 Cl0p ransomware data breach affecting 633,887 individuals resulted in a £963,900 ICO fine in May 2026.

Name

South Staffs Water

Legal name

South Staffordshire Water PLC

Website

https://south-staffs-water.co.uk

Company type

Public

Founded year

1853

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

South Staffs Water is a regulated water-only utility serving over 565,000 households and 33,000 businesses across the South Staffordshire region of England under an Ofwat-appointed geographic monopoly, supplying 323 million litres of treated drinking water daily via owned treatment and distribution infrastructure.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Water Utility Services

NAICS

Water Supply and Irrigation Systems (221310), Water, Sewage and Other Systems (2213)

SIC

Water Supply (4941)

akta.pro primary industry

Drinking Water Distribution Network Operations (Mains, Valves, Hydrants, Service Lines) (EUANAAAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Water Quality Monitoring, Compliance & Reporting (Sampling, Lab, Regulatory) (EUANAAAG)

Keywords

• Regulated water supply
• Household water utility
• Water treatment services
• Developer water connections
• Sewerage billing services

Headquarters

HQ city

Walsall

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Water Supply Charges (Metered): Metered customers are billed based on water volume consumed (cubic metres) plus a standing charge covering meter reading, maintenance and replacement costs. Standing charge is a fixed set amount per billing period.
2. Water Supply Charges (Unmetered): Unmetered customers billed using rateable value of property. Charge is calculated by multiplying unmetered water charge (cost per £ of rateable value) by property's rateable value. This is a fixed charge regardless of water usage volume.
3. Sewerage Charges Collection: South Staffs Water bills and collects sewerage charges on behalf of Severn Trent Water. For metered customers, used water volume charge is calculated based on water returned to sewer. For unmetered customers, sewerage charge is based on rateable value. Also includes surface water drainage charges.
4. Developer Services Charges: Fees for new water connections, replacement connections, mains schemes, self-lay provider coordination, NAV (New Appointments and Variations) connections, and diversion schemes. Includes application fees, connection charges, and mains laying costs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

South Staffs Water is a regulated water-only utility that abstracts raw water from groundwater boreholes, Blithfield Reservoir and the River Severn, treats it through coagulation, filtration and chlorination, and distributes clean drinking water via its mains network to over 565,000 households and 33,000 businesses across the South Staffordshire region. Beyond core water supply (metered and unmetered), the company offers developer connection services (new, replacement and self-lay schemes), water-quality testing, leak detection and repair, sewerage charge collection on behalf of Severn Trent Water, and digital self-service via the MyAccount portal and mobile app.

Product overview

South Staffordshire Water operates as a regional water utility providing core water supply services to over 565,000 homes and 33,000 business customers. The company offers a unified portfolio of products and services centered around water supply and distribution, including household and business water supply, developer connection services (new connections, replacements, self-lay schemes, mains schemes, NAVs), and water quality management. Customer-facing digital products include the MyAccount online portal and mobile app for account management, bill payment, and meter readings. The company also provides specialized services such as leak detection and repair, water quality testing, assisted pipe repairs, and is involved in innovative technology projects like the Space Eye satellite-based leak detection initiative.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Household Water Supply Core metered and unmetered drinking water supply service for residential properties across the South Staffordshire region, including billing by volume plus standing charge or by rateable value, and customer support via MyAccount, mobile app and phone.
• Business / Non-Household Water Supply Water supply services and wholesale products and services for non-household customers, retailers and other commercial premises in the South Staffordshire region.
• New Connection Service Water connection services for developers requiring new water mains and individual property connections, including standard 25 mm connections and non-standard connections of 32 mm or larger.
• Replacement Connection Service Separation of existing shared water supplies or replacement water connections up to 25 mm for properties requiring individual supplies.
• Self-Lay Provider Service Service enabling approved self-lay providers to lay water mains and service connections for developer schemes under the Codes for Adoption.
• Leak Detection and Repair Service Detection and repair of water leaks both on customer property and in the road/footpath network, including emergency response and planned maintenance, with leakage performance reported to the regulator.
• Water Treatment and Quality Services Water treatment services including coagulation, filtration, chlorination and fluoridation, with treated water fluoride adjusted to a target of 1 mg/l (except UTT water quality zone) and water quality monitoring and reporting for customers.
• Water Quality Testing Regular water quality testing and reporting services, including analysis in UKAS-accredited laboratories to verify compliance with drinking water safety standards.
• Water Resources Management Long-term water resources planning including drought management, abstraction management and sustainable water supply planning through participation in Water Resources West and Water Resources East partnerships.
• Sewerage Charge Collection on Behalf of Severn Trent Water Billing and collection of sewerage charges on behalf of Severn Trent Water so that customers in the South Staffs region receive a single combined bill covering water supply and sewerage services.
• MyAccount Digital Portal and Mobile App Online customer portal and iOS/Android mobile application for viewing bills, paying by debit/credit card, recording meter readings and managing accounts. Mobile app requires iOS 12.1 or Android 7.0+.
• Leakage Allowance Service Allowance programme for metered household customers with leaking supply pipes, providing billing adjustments for excess water consumption during repair periods.
• Assisted Pipe Repairs Support service to help household customers repair leaks on their private supply pipes, including advice and assistance in finding solutions (e.g. via HomeServe and WaterSafe-registered plumbers).
• Space Eye Satellite Leakage Detection Satellite-based water leakage detection project using AI and high-resolution imagery from six Low-Earth Orbit microsatellites on the Quub platform, developed with the University of Wolverhampton and funded by £1.3 million from Ofwat's Water Breakthrough Challenge 5.

Quantifiable outcome

• 323 million litres of water supplied daily to over 565,000 homes and 33,000 businesses
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• University of WolverhamptoncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 May 2025Partnership to develop 'Space Eye' satellite-based water leakage detection project. University researchers obtained £1.3 million ($1.73 million) in funding from Ofwat's Innovation Fund (Water Breakthrough Challenge 5) to develop microsatellite technology using AI and high-resolution satellite imagery on the Quub satellite platform. Initiative aims to reduce economic losses, improve operational efficiency, and support UK environmental sustainability goals.
• Severn Trent WatercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSouth Staffs Water bills and collects sewerage charges on behalf of Severn Trent Water, allowing customers to receive a single bill covering both water and sewerage services. Severn Trent is responsible for sewerage and drainage services in the South Staffs region.
• HomeServeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHomeServe provides insurance coverage for customer water supply pipes. South Staffs Water promotes HomeServe as an option for customers seeking assistance with pipe repairs and leak coverage on their private supply pipes.
• Public Health EnglandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSouth Staffs Water adjusts fluoride levels in water to target 1mg/l (except UTT water quality zone) at the request of Public Health England, in accordance with the Water (Fluoridation) Act 1985. Fluoride concentration is independently audited monthly by Public Health England.
• WaterSafe RegisterminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWaterSafe Register brings together qualified plumbing contractors from approved schemes (WIAPS, A Plus, Watermark, TAPS, APHC, CIPHE, SNIPEF). South Staffs Water recommends WaterSafe-registered plumbers for customer pipe repairs and installations.
• Environment AgencycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Environment Agency regulates raw water quality, issues abstraction licenses, and works to prevent water contamination. South Staffs Water works with the Environment Agency to minimize environmental impact from operations.
• Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDWI regulates drinking water quality in England and Wales. South Staffs Water undergoes annual assessment and inspections to ensure compliance with drinking water safety standards.
• Consumer Council for Water (CCWater)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCCWater represents water and sewerage consumers in England and Wales, providing a national and regional voice for customers. South Staffs Water works with CCWater on consumer representation and complaint resolution.
• Natural EnglandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNatural England is the government's adviser on the natural environment. South Staffs Water works with Natural England on biodiversity initiatives and management of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) that the company owns.
• Water Resources WestcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional water resources group bringing together organizations to consider sustainable long-term water supply options. South Staffs Water participates in Water Resources West partnerships alongside Water Resources East.
• Virtual RoutesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVirtual Routes released a report ('Under Pressure: Securing Europe's Resource-Constrained Critical Infrastructure') documenting cyberattacks on European water systems including South Staffordshire Water. Report provides policy recommendations for EU water-cyber hygiene and information sharing.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Severn Trent Water: Large integrated water and sewerage utility serving a contiguous Midlands region; the strategic counterparty that handles sewerage for South Staffs Water customers and operates under the same Ofwat regulatory regime.
• United Utilities: Major integrated water and wastewater company in the North West of England; comparable on regulated water supply, customer base scale, and Ofwat price-control framework.
• Anglian Water: Large integrated water and sewerage company operating in the East of England; directly comparable as a regulated UK water utility facing the same DWI, Ofwat, and Environment Agency oversight.
• Thames Water: Largest UK water and wastewater company serving the London region; relevant peer on regulated water distribution scale, leakage challenges, and Ofwat-determined pricing mechanics.
• Yorkshire Water: Regional integrated water and sewerage utility in Yorkshire; directly comparable on regulated UK water utility economics, capital programmes, and customer service obligations.
• Affinity Water: Largest water-only supplier in England serving the South East; the closest direct peer in business model to South Staffs Water, given the shared water-only (no sewerage) regulatory structure.
• SES Water: Water-only supplier in Surrey and parts of Greater London; highly comparable to South Staffs Water as a smaller, water-only appointed utility operating under the same regulatory regime.
• Northumbrian Water: Integrated water and sewerage company serving the North East; comparable on regulated water utility operations, leakage and resilience programmes, and Ofwat oversight.
• Dwr Cymru Welsh Water: Not-for-profit integrated water and sewerage company serving Wales and parts of England; comparable on regulated water utility operations, environmental compliance, and infrastructure investment cycles.
• Hafren Dyfrdwy: Small water-only supplier serving parts of the Welsh borderlands; comparable as a small-scale water-only appointed company operating under the same UK regulatory framework as South Staffs Water.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SthStaffsWater
• Facebookfacebook.com/SthStaffsWater

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about South Staffs Water