Interim Results Announcement for the six months ended 30 September 2005

HIGHLIGHTS

• Group turnover up 15.1% to £435.8m.
  
  
• Group operating profit increased 15.5% to £173.2m.
  
  
• Group profit before taxation at £124.2m up 19.4%.
  
  
• Interim dividend at 8.75p (2004: 8.34p).
  
  
• Basic earnings per share increased 12.7% to 23.0p.
  
  
• Solid start by Yorkshire Water to the new five year price determination period.
  
  
• Continued growth in UK Service Operations; Kelda Water Services led consortium preferred bidder for water PFI in Northern Ireland. Existing contracts performing well.
  
  
• Improved performance from Aquarion; driven by efficiency gains.
  

KEY FIGURES	2005	2004	Increase/(Decrease)
Group turnover from continuing operations	£435.8m	£378.6m	15.1%
Group operating profit from continuing operations	£173.2m	£149.9m	15.5%
Profit before taxation	£124.2m	£104.0m	19.4%
Basic earnings per share	23.0p	20.4p	12.7%
Interim dividend per share	8.75p	8.34p	4.9%

Commenting on the results, Kelda Chairman John Napier said:

"The group has made a sound start to the year with solid performances from Yorkshire Water, Aquarion and Kelda Water Services. We have in place plans to maintain and improve this performance".

For further information contact-

A copy of this interim results announcement will be available on the Kelda Group website from 8 am this morning at www.keldagroup.com.

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