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In April 2017, the business water market in England opened for competition allowing businesses to choose who supplied their water. The changes aimed to offer more choice to business customers and put an end to overly expensive business water rates and contracts.
Over 1.2 million businesses can now switch their water supplier and avoid the regional monopoly based on the location of their premises. If your business hasn’t yet switched water suppliers, you could significantly reduce your water bills by comparing water suppliers today.
At British Business Energy, we can help you find the best deal for your business to ensure you never have to overpay for your commercial water again.
What are the benefits of switching water supplier?
The overall objective of opening the water market for competition was to give business customers more choice at a reduced cost.
Some of the benefits of switching your supplier include:
Lower water rates
Lower bills are the most obvious benefit of comparing business water suppliers. The price you’re currently paying will be dependent on where your business is located. As tariffs from the leading water providers can vary significantly, you could make real savings by switching water providers.
You can take advantage of new competitive rates by comparing prices with British Business Energy.
Consolidated billing
If your business has sites in multiple locations, you now have a great opportunity to consolidate your bills. Previously, if you had sites in different areas of the country, you would have contracts with several water suppliers with separate billing and various customer service teams.
Now, your business can choose one provider to supply all your sites with one contract and consolidated billing.
Improved customer service
Increasing levels of customer service was one of the most important aims of the deregulation of the water market.
Businesses now have the option of switching water suppliers if they are unhappy with the customer service they are receiving from their current provider.
You will also have the option of choosing the water supplier that best matches the requirements of your business.
How does the process of switching business water providers work?
At British Business Energy, we aim to make the process of switching water suppliers as simple and hassle free as possible.
All we need from you is a few details about your business and your current water supplier. Our dedicated water team will then get to work to find you the best business water rates available.
The entire process can be completed in three easy steps:
Step 1: We discuss your water requirements
Our specialist team will discuss your current usage and your businesses requirements to ensure we can find a deal which suits the needs of your business.
Step 2: Compare the best business water rates
Our team will provide you with the best business water quotes available from our trusted suppliers. All you need to do is chose the right deal for you.
Step 3: Complete your switch and save
Once you’ve chosen the deal you’d like to, our dedicated team will take care of the process of moving you to your new water provider.
How much can I save by switching water suppliers?
The amount your business could save by switching water suppliers will depend on your business size, location, and your water usage.
However, there is some guidance offered by the water market in Scotland which opened for competition in 2008. Since deregulation, Scottish businesses have saved more than £133 million on their commercial water rates. This includes £73 million in discounts and £54 million in efficiencies.
What are the current business water supplier prices?
Here, we’ve provided an overview of the published tariffs from the top ten UK water companies in 2021.
2021 Small business water prices
| SUPPLIER | WATER £/M3 | WATER FIXED | WASTE £/M3 | WASTE FIXED | TOTAL BILL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Northumbrian | £1.0646 | £38.77 | £0.7793 | £77.02 | £484.57 |
| 2. Thames Water | £1.4570 | £17.84 | £0.8963 | £44.71 | £553.21 |
| 3. Severn Trent | £1.5172 | £45.59 | £0.9400 | £39.53 | £576.56 |
| 4. United Utilities | £1.7010 | £48.07 | £1.1050 | £0 | £609.27 |
| 5. Yorkshire Water | £1.3621 | £40.86 | £1.5599 | £48.91 | £674.17 |
| 6. Anglian Water | £1.3472 | £58 | £1.4212 | £37 | £684 |
| 7. Southern Water | £1.9998 | £46 | £1.2484 | £18 | £713 |
| 8. Wessex Water | £1.2600 | £50.89 | £1.9988 | £85.85 | £788 |
| 9. Business Stream | £1.5652 | £68.22 | £1.8391 | £79.36 | £828.44 |
| 10. South West | £1.9718 | £50.85 | £2.9162 | £49.83 | £1,078.28 |
With a difference from highest to lowest tariff of almost £600 per year, there are real savings to be made by business when switching water supplier.
You should bear in mind that these will not necessarily be the best prices available. Businesses should always compare prices before signing up to a new water contract.
2021 Medium-Sized business water prices
| SUPPLIER | WATER £/M3 | WATER FIXED | WASTE £/M3 | WASTE FIXED | TOTAL BILL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Northumbrian | £1.0646 | £38.77 | £0.7793 | £77.02 | £2,842.42 |
| 2. Thames Water | £1.4570 | £17.84 | £0.8963 | £44.71 | £3,592.50 |
| 3. Severn Trent | £1.5172 | £45.59 | £0.9400 | £39.53 | £3,770.92 |
| 4. Anglian Water | £1.3472 | £58.00 | £1.4212 | £37.00 | £4,247.60 |
| 5. United Utilities | £1.7010 | £48.07 | £1.1050 | £0 | £4,257.07 |
| 6. Yorkshire Water | £1.3621 | £40.86 | £1.5599 | £48.91 | £4,472.60 |
| 7. Southern Water | £1.9998 | £46.00 | £1.2484 | £18.00 | £4,936.30 |
| 8. Wessex Water | £1,2600 | £50.89 | £1.9988 | £85.85 | £5,024.94 |
| 9. Business Stream | £1.5652 | £68.22 | £1.8391 | £79.36 | £5,254,03 |
| 10. South West | £1.9718 | £50.85 | £2.9162 | £49.83 | £7,432.68 |
Medium-sizes businesses can potentially save even more by comparing water prices. The difference between the highest and lowest tariff is over £4,500.
If you still haven’t switched business water suppliers, you could be paying much more than you need to due to the location of your business.
Could a water audit lower my business water rates?
The regional lottery on water rates has resulted in some businesses in the UK being overcharged by up to 65%.
With a water audit, your business can benefit from in-depth research on your water rates and usage to discover how you can save money.
Your water audit will cover:
- Usage and consumption checks
- Drainage checks
- Sanitary checks
- Return to sewer checks
If you spend over £1,000 on your water bills annually, you can even receive your water audit completely free of charge.
Why switch water provider with British Business Energy?
At British Business Energy, we provide your business with free, impartial advice to help you find the best business water rates available.
By comparing water prices with us, you will have an expert on your side throughout the switching process. They will be on hand to get you set up with your new water provider and answer any questions you may have on the process.
We’ll even stay in touch with you when your contract is ending to ensure you remain on the best water rates and never overpay for your business water again.
To find out how much you can save on your business water bills, compare the latest prices with British Business Energy.