Severn Trent and United Utilities have moved almost seamlessly to the top of the most-disliked company list.
A combination of sewage dumping, inflation-busting price hikes and generous dividend payouts have seen to that.
Expect next week's trading updates from the pair to focus on all three and probably in that order.
In its interim result statement in November, Severn Trent chief executive Liv Garfield commented that the company “was doing more than ever” through investment to protect local environments and plug leaks and blockages.
How it is balancing that with keeping investors happy is going to be the trick for both Severn Trent and United Utilities over the coming years.
Jefferies is predicting full-year revenues of between £2.15-£2.29bn for Severn Trent, while United said earlier that revenues will be £150m higher than last year’s £1.82b.
At both, watch also for levels of debt and interest payments on any inflation-linked loans.