Everything You Need To Know About Business Water

Water is one of the most needed utilities in every business. The business water market in England has been regulated since April 2017, allowing for complete competition. Since then, companies have been permitted to pick any provider for their commercial water services. This covers invoicing, account administration, meter reading, and water efficiency advice. 

How does the commercial water market work?

The market functions similarly to other open utility markets, such as those for electricity and gas. Retail providers purchase wholesale services such as water delivery or wastewater disposal. They then provide packages to their commercial clients.

Who are the leading market participants?

• Retail providers: These providers compete for your business.
• Wholesalers: These are firms that own and run the water pipe, primary, and treatment plant network. They provide water and wastewater services to retail customers.
• Open Water: This is the government organization that intends to open up the new commercial retail sector. Ofwat, Defra, and MOSL are the organizations in charge of Open Water. The program provides market intelligence to commercial customers.

Changing Water Suppliers

Looking for other water suppliers for your company will help you decide whether your current company suits your business budget. 

Benefits

• You can choose simplified and digital billing, making it easier to pay your water bills. Furthermore, you may request more frequent invoices, allowing you to monitor your company’s water consumption precisely.
• You may also access consumption and billing data in whatever format you choose, including online self-service.
• You may also obtain superior customer care because you will have the option of completing your supply rather than receiving service from your local provider.
• You might save money by selecting a less expensive provider.
• If you have many locations in various areas, you might simplify your billing by using a single supplier for all sites.

How To Switch Water Providers:

Switching water suppliers is a straightforward procedure that is well worth undertaking if you want to reap all of the benefits that come with it.

1. Find the proper provider for your company: Make a list of everything you want in a water supplier, from solid customer service to assist with water efficiency. 

2. Request a quote: Once you’ve discovered your preferred provider, ensure that their price is likewise appropriate for your company. Make a note of your Supply Point Identification (SPID) number. This may be found on your most recent water bill.

3. Sign up: make a contract with your new provider. Usually, they will notify your present supplier that you are leaving. When transferring suppliers, you must have the following information on hand:

• The name of your company
• Address of your company, including postcode
• Your yearly water use
• Name of the person to contact at the location
• The phone number for your establishment
• Your unique property reference number, request profile, and yearly spending are desirable but not required

Analyzing Your Company’s Water Bill

Your water bill is made up of several distinct components. Water and sewerage rates vary by location and supplier each year. If different firms provide your water and sewerage services, you will get two separate bills.

Water rates: metered vs unmetered

If you have a water meter, your bill is calculated based on your water use. Two charges will appear on your account:

• Fixed standing charge: This depends on the scale of your hydrometer and includes both readings and overall meter upkeep.
• Variable volumetric fee: It depends on the amount of water used.

If you don’t have a water meter, your water use isn’t calculated in your bill. This is because your provider has no means of knowing how much water is utilized on your property. Instead, your bill will contain the following:

• Fixed fee: Is calculated based on the assessed value of your company’s premises.
• Fixed standing fee: Covers client-related supply costs such as invoicing and customer assistance.

Sewerage fees

Sewerage rates will be included in your water bill. Sewerage services include:

• Groundwater drainage: Refers to rainfall that runs off your land and into public sewers.
• Highway drainage: Refers to waters that drain from highways into public sewers.
• Trade effluent: Refers to any wastewater or other liquid emitted by your firms, such as cleansers and food waste.
• Foul sewage: Refers to any residential wastewater discharged, such as wastewater from toilet bowls.

How to Improve Your Company’s Water Efficiency

Water is a valuable and limited resource; fewer than 3% of the world’s water is fresh, and only 0.3 percent is easily accessible. Businesses account for 25% of water use in the UK; therefore, every firm must know how much they’re consuming.

The Advantages of Water Efficiency

• Saving water can help you save money on your energy bill because the two are inextricably linked. When you turn on a faucet, energy is consumed to pump the water.
• Other resources can also be saved. For example, a lightbulb or one plastic bottle needs five liters of water to run. Reducing your company’s water use can thus help you save money in other ways.
• The less water you consume, the more money you’ll save on your water bill. Even little modifications can have a significant impact.

Evaluating your current water consumption

Before you can devise a strategy to become more water-efficient, you must first analyze your current use. This can assist you in understanding how and where water is utilized on your property, allowing you to target crucial areas.

• Conduct a meter reading: Take these readings at the beginning and conclusion of each day for one month.
• Examine your prior bills: If you discover that your use swings significantly without any evident cause, leaky or defective equipment may be the problem, or your bill may be erroneous. If this is the case, a water audit or inquiry may be necessary.