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This article was published on February 6, 2015 at 18:34.
We consumers (we were once defined users) are grumpy by nature, and generally express opinions of discontent for companies of local public services that we provide water , light, gas, waste disposal service, and so on. But it is true that these companies are all receptacles of inefficiencies. Many work well, some very well. Large or small, public or private changes little. The quality of service depends on other factors: the people, as always.
The third edition of the report Top Utility Analysis examined the 100 largest public and private utilities operating in the Italian gas, electricity, water and waste. And the best company of all is water, the company that manages the aqueduct of Empoli and the integrated water cycle in Lower Valdarno, where he reached the final snatching the top spot to Aimag, Hera, Marche Multiservizi and New Waters. But the comparison of utility conducted by analyst firm economic Althesys has also selected the different categories. The report examined the economic and financial situation of the last three years, the operational management, communication, social and environmental sustainability, relationships with consumers and with the land, heritage and technological innovation in order to evaluate a ‘integrated optics of economic, financial, social and environmental performance of the major utilities active on the Italian territory, highlighting excellence, critical issues and t rends.
For example, in terms of sustainability is the first Hera Bologna (finalist with Acea, Waters, Iren and Marche Multiservizi), while for the quality of communication to users (indeed, consumers) is the first group aqueduct Cap of the province of Milan (with A2A, Acea, Water and Hera). By technology and desire for innovation is the first Milan-Brescia A2A (in the final with Water Novara VCO, Waters of Chiampo, Aimag and Metropolitana Milanese) and prior to operational and economic performance is the Treviso Contarina (with Athena, Etra, Lario Networks and Toscana Energia).
The level of satisfaction of citizens is equal all’83,92%, with a particularly low number of complaints. The waiting time for the response of the call center, for example, fell from 89 to 75 seconds. Next to many cases of excellence, however, there are still companies, especially some smaller, which lack transparency.
“The analysis photographing a field still very heterogeneous in Italy,” says economist Alessandro Marangoni, CEO Althesys and coordinator of the research group Top Utility. “Our study shows that in addition to large groups, now over-sized regional or national, there is a multitude of small and very small actually, with differences in business, solid and very different results. But the trend line is clear: grow the size and increases efficiency, although there is some way to go because the sector has a structure similar to that of other European countries. “
A few number on the field
According to the report Top Utility Analysis, the system of local public services has a key role. Turnover developed by the 100 largest companies represents 7.7% of Gross Domestic Product Italian 2013. Their services affecting the competitiveness of enterprises and the welfare of citizens. They are part of the utility sector enterprises large side of small and medium sized local companies (53% of the invoice less than 100 million). The set of 100 largest Italian utility covers in 2013 over 52% of the electricity produced in Italy, 66% of the drinking water supplied and 36% of waste. In 2013, the Top 100 Utilities have seen a slight decline in total revenues (125.1 billion euro, down 1.3%) and an increase in investment (5.7 billion, + 6.8%).
From the point of view of economic performance, are above average, the companies in the energy sector, while companies of waste management are especially burdened by the costs of staff. The water companies have the best ratio between EBITDA and revenue (22.4%), followed by multi-utilities (17.1%) and energy (15.1%).
You lose a third of the drinking water
Very discussed the topic of water leaks. The analysis confirms that the aqueducts have average losses around 35%, especially in the South (50%) while the Northern European standards (UK 19%, Denmark 10% and Germany 7%), but not all are true losses from pipes. It is non-revenue water, and next to the real thieves of water that are tied to the pipes hidden there are natural evaporation for transportation drains open (as in colossal channels Aqueduct Pugliese), the water distributed to social reasons (such as fountains and ornamental fountains road or supplies charitable), and consumers defaulters who do not pay the bills.
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