Water Research Centre
1974 Following the reorganisation of the UK water supply industry both Water Pollution Research Laboratory and the Water Resources Board were transferred from the Civil Service and merged with the Water Research Association to form a quango, the Water Research Centre, controlled by the publicly-owned regional water authorities.
The Water Research Centre was established at Stevenage, grant-aided by the Department of the Environment. It conducted research into the treatment of sewage and trade effluents, the causes and prevention of pollution in rivers, and the purification of natural waters for the nation's water supplies.
1989 Water Research Centre (1989) plc was incorporated, as part of the privatisation programme for the water industry.
1990 Named changed to W. R. C. plc