NORTHUMBRIAN Water Group has been voted the top performing UK water company for the sixth time in seven years in an industry supply chain survey.

The survey, conducted by British Water, saw Northumbrian Water come top in nine out of 10 categories and second in the 10th.

In the innovation category, which is new for the 2016 survey, the group was one of only two companies to score above the industry average.

British Water, the trade association for the UK water supply chain, represents the industry collectively to government, regulators, other institutions, customers and the media.

Annually, the views of contractors, suppliers and consultants are gathered on the UK’s 12 water companies’ performances in areas including contract procurement, attitude, following policy, contractual approach, impact on the supply chain, professional qualities and communication.

Northumbrian Water Group suppliers, who take part in the survey, range from framework capital contractors and consultants, to chemical suppliers, distribution materials suppliers, IS service providers, maintenance, waste and operational contractors.

Many also work for other water companies and assess their performance as well.

Stephen Whaley, Northumberland Water Group’s contracts procurement manager, said: “This is fantastic feedback from our supply chain. Six times in seven years, our suppliers have picked us as the number one company to work in partnership with and this demonstrates the hard work we have put into building strong working relationships with our suppliers in order to deliver a great service to our customers.”