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The UK water market is now deregulated, your business could save on water bills. Check commercial water rates & supplier deals today.
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The water market is now open for business
You now have the power to choose who supplies your business water and waste services. We will help you secure the best contract for your business through using our market insights and supplier relations. From new contracts, to bill validations through to water audits – if there are savings to be made, we will find it.
Our independent research shows that as many as one in three businesses have been previously overcharged on their business water accounts. This can all be claimed back, do you know if you have been overcharged for your water in the past 5 years? We would recommend you have an audit to check.
Where to start with your business water?
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1 in 10 businesses have experienced water supply issuesFREE Water Audit
The starting point for managing your water effectively is to take a look at your current spend. Providing a 12 months of billing will highlight if there are problems with billing, usage and/or charges.
We will look into historical charges of up to 6 years to see if there is a case to gain a rebate of any overcharges. We will also discuss a site audit with you to see if there is any potential further savings.
If we see there are savings that could be made we will make suggestions to you of how to achieve this.
Changing water supplier
Switching water supplier is simple. If you haven’t agreed a new water contract then you are free to change over whenever you like. Since the commercial water deregulation, suppliers have had to review the service they provide to retain and gain custom. If you are not happy with your supplier or have had any previous issues, make the move and check out the offers on the market.
Benefits to changing water suppliers
-Lower bills and better value for money
-Improved customer service
-A better tailored service to suit your business needs
-Aid in becoming more water efficient
The Water Market
Since the deregulation of the energy market, many businesses enjoy competitive rates from many different suppliers. Prior to April 2017, the water market was regulated. Scotland deregulated its water in 2008 and it has introduced low prices and competitive suppliers. England deregulated the commercial water market in April 2017, allowing businesses to choose who supplies their business with water services. The deregulation has presented many benefits to switching and highlighted reasons to have an audit to check everything is in order.
If you’d like to learn more about the water market deregulation contact us and speak to one of our experts.
Frequently Asked Business Water Questions
If your current supplier maintained their license to act as a supplier, then nothing will have changed. They will have automatically transferred you onto their default tariff.
The default tariff is likely to be more expensive tariff than others suppliers may be offering.
Gain a free, no obligation quote from us to see how they compare.
If your current supplier decided to exit the commercial market and you didn’t switch suppliers, your supply will have been allocated by the central market agency however you will not be in contract.
It takes on average around 28 days to switch water provider. However, this is dependent on how many sites you have. We can keep your water details on file, then we will call to let know when you can change water suppliers and which tariff will offer you the best savings.
Just like electricity and gas, water was deregulated in April 2017 to allow businesses in England to choose which company will supply their business water and waste service. We have several agreements with water suppliers, also, we have direct relationships with the major energy suppliers which allows us access to a whole portfolio of additional services. We know there are several energy suppliers that have opened additional departments to support the water deregulation.
We can now shop around for you using our expert market knowledge and buying power to get our customers the best deals and competitive savings.
There are 2 factors that determine whether you can switch your business water supplier - 1) Is your company predominantly business based or domestic? 2) Where is your waterboard or water provider based?
The deregulation is now live in England and Scotland, however, if your commercial water supplier is in Wales then you cannot switch water supplier yet, unless you use a large amount of water.
As of 1st April 2017 the non-domestic water market was deregulated. This means that like Gas and Electricity, all businesses within England (not Wales) can now choose which company supplies their water and waste water services.
While the water wholesaler will be determined by the region, the supplier can be chosen by you. The changes came after the successful deregulation of water in Scotland in 2008.
SPID stands for - Supply Point Identification Number. This can be found on your latest water bill. Your SPID will contain 8 digits but may be separated for wastewater and water. Your new supplier will need your SPID number to make the switch to a new water supplier for your business.
As well as England, we've helped a number of Scottish companies save money. Using our experience, if you have a bill, we can provide a free water audit.
We can provide instant water quotes for Scottish businesses.
You are likely to save money, however, for the first several years of the deregulation it may not be as dramatic as you would hope. However, in time we will see increased competition and differences in prices between suppliers. The current savings in the Scottish market are between 10 – 25%, depending on the mark up charges, but they have been deregulated since 2008.
We have found that savings can be made and rebates can be claimed through having a water audit.
Call us today to discuss your business water requirements and we can guide you through the process of switching and undertaking a water audit.
There are currently 25 water suppliers across the UK:
Due to having a choice of suppliers, you may benefit from:
- Improved service
- Expert advice
- Cheaper water bills
- No negative effect on your water bill
- Tailored service
New companies have entered the market, many of these have a utilities background. Recently, more energy suppliers have added water to their list of services and others will be teaming up with regional water companies. Some regional water companies now operate on a national basis and some have chosen to withdraw completely - leaving those with contracts having to change water supplier.
If you have not secured a water contract since April 2017 you will have automatically been put onto a default tariff with your existing water supplier should they continued to operate, bear in mind they may have changed trading name.
Business water bills vary in value depending on your commercial location, company size and usage. Our experienced water team can audit your bill and gather the relevant information to help find you the best water quotes and prices for your business. If you have any questions, feel free to contact our team here.
What is Trade Effluent Water?
Trade effluent is a term used to describe any business waste water that’s produced on trade premises, aside from domestic sewage (wastewater). Under The Water Industry Act 1991 defines trade effluent as “any liquid, either with or without particles of matter in suspension in the liquid, which is wholly or partly produced in the course of any trade or industry carried on at a trade premises."
Example businesses that must be aware of effluent water discharge are: Petrol stations, hotels, hospitals, manufacturers, engineering and chemical plants.
A section 104 sewer agreement is a strict agreement between businesses and sewerage undertakers. For developments and businesses, the sewage and waste water systems have to meet agreed standards. This is called a section 104 agreement.
Unfortunately, every year in the UK, there are many spillage incidents from businesses. If these business water spillages contain hazardous water, this can cause issues for the local environment and companies. For companies that deal with hazardous waste, such as handling chemicals in the chemical industry - A leak can be catastrophic. This links with trade effluent and waste water.
The authorities that deal with environmental legislation are below, If there's an on site spillage relating to business water or trade effluent, its recommended that you contact:
EA - Environmental Agency
NIEA - Northern Ireland Environmental Agency
SEPA - Scottish Environmental Protection Agency
Thames Water was hit by a record fine of around £20million in 2017 for large sewage leaks: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/mar/22/thames-water-hit-with-record-fine-for-huge-sewage-leaks.
To protect the environment, you need permission if your business is going to discharge any trade effluent in to public sewers. Effluent water consent is included in the trade effluent public register. Please find a link to this below:
https://www.unitedutilities.com/trade-effluent-consent-register/
For temporary discharges, this must be for less than 6 months and full consent is required. This must be leaked in to a foul sewer and not the surface water system. Please contact your retailer, they will require you to complete the relevant application.
Limits are placed within your business trade effluent agreement. This includes the consideration of all the below, all mentioned and agreed in your business agreement:
- Volume
- Discharge rate
- No flammable or toxic substances such as petroleum
- ph levels must be between the agreed levels
- Check temperature limits
Our business water experts are on hand to answer any questions you may have, contact us here
Business water bills vary in value depending on your commercial location, company size and usage. Our experienced water team can audit your bill and gather the relevant information to help find you the best commercial water quotes and prices for your. If you have any questions, feel free to contact our team here.