Severn Trent was formed in 1974 as the state-owned regional basin authority based in Birmingham.
Severn Trent takes its name from two of the largest rivers in Great Britain, the River Severn and the River Trent, catchment basins in which Severn Trent was responsible for the management and distribution of drinking water and the treatment and disposal of waste water.

In the years following 1974 all the management's efforts were directed towards establishing more efficient operations, thus preparing Severn Trent for an easier transition to privatisation, which took place in 1989.
Severn Trent's management philosophy changed from the historical approach typical of a local authority to that of a highly competitive private company operating worldwide.

Since privatisation it has become one of the largest private companies in the world engaging in the management of drinking water, waste water and solid wastes.
More than 14,600 employees provide services to more than 22 million people throughout the world.

Severn Trent Plc is quoted on the London Stock Exchange, and is one of the 100 leading companies in the United Kingdom, with a annual turnover of more than €2,600,000,000.

The main activities of the Severn Trent Group are:

• Drinking water management services and wastewater treatment services
• International consultancy services of a financial, administrative and operating/technical nature
• Solid wastes management services
• Public management services, in particular in relation to water technology and software systems applied to the industry.