Many businesses in the water supply chain have predicted the impacts of the pandemic will continue to negatively affect them into 2021.
That is according to a survey by British Water that showed 32 per cent of members expected turnover to decrease over the next six to 12 months, while 35 per cent anticipated it would remain the same.
Many respondent companies said they saw turnover fall this year, for 41 per cent the decrease was slight but for 30 per cent the drop was significant.
Around 20 per cent of respondents reported experiencing cashflow concerns and 10 per cent had paused new strategic investments to help maintain cashflow.
The survey was undertaken by British Water in October to assess the impact coronavirus has had on companies through 2020 and what individual companies’ future concerns are.
“The water and wastewater community has been absolutely critical in protecting and maintaining public health throughout the covid-19 crisis. During this time, the sector has clearly faced its own challenges but has proven its resilience and agility,” British Water chief executive Lila Thompson said. “We are determined to continue to offer the right support to the supply chain throughout the next stages of the pandemic, so companies can continue to offer their essential services and emerge from the crisis in a strong position.”