United Utilities, water supplier to the North West of England, said its profit before tax soared 109% to £355 million in the year to March 31, 2025.

The company said revenue rose 10% to £2.145 billion and dividend for per share rose to 51.85p from 49.78p. Dividends paid totalled £344 million.

Capital investment was £1.083 billion, a 47% increase on the prior year

“Net cash generated from operating activities for the year to 31 March 2025 was £918 million, £173 million higher than £745 million last year, principally due to increased revenue,” said the firm.

“The net cash generated from continuing operating activities supports the dividends paid of £344 million and partially funds some of the group’s net capital expenditure of £988 million, with the balance being funded by net borrowings and cash and cash equivalents.”

United Utilities CEO Louise Beardmore said: “We have delivered another strong set of results for customers, communities and the environment in the North West. Our focus on performance has seen us meet or surpass around 80 per cent of our performance targets over the last five years, the best performance of any water company.

“Our long-term strategy of investment helped us cut spills per storm overflow by 24 per cent last year, a total of 20,000 fewer spills and the biggest year-on-year reduction in the sector.

“We are one of only three companies to have achieved our customer targets for services provided to families, businesses and housing developers every year, and at the same time we have helped more than 400,000 households in the North West with affordability support since 2020.

“Looking to the future, we have already started work on our ambitious £13 billion plan for the next five years – the biggest investment in improving water and wastewater infrastructure in more than a century.

“We’re proud our plans will deliver a huge boost to customers and communities across the North West, supporting 30,000 jobs and creating an estimated £35 billion of economic value for the region.”