OREANDA-NEWS. Sumitomo Corporation and Sumitomo Corporation Europe have acquired Sutton & East Surrey Water plc ("SESW"), a water only supply and distribution company in England, through the acquisition of 100% of the share capital of East Surrey Holdings Ltd. As the new owner of SESW, Sumitomo will be involved in the operation and management of SESW and will endeavour to contribute to improve quality of service by leveraging Sumitomo's extensive water sector experience.

SESW, established in 1862, is the monopoly supplier of drinking water to residential and business customers in the affluent east Surrey, west Sussex, west Kent and south London areas, including Gatwick airport.

SESW's supply area covers a total of 835 km2 and a population of approximately 655,000, through a network including 3,445km of mains, 8 treatment works, 38 pumping stations and 35 service reservoirs and water towers. SESW's water concession business is responsible for the operation and maintenance of, and the management of capital investment in its water supply infrastructure. SESW undertakes the complete range of water concession business activities, including the abstraction, treatment and distribution of drinking water, as well as billing, collection and other customer services.