What kind of tailored services can water suppliers offer?

Metering options for different premises

Water suppliers may offer advanced metering solutions to help you understand and manage their consumption. Smart meters provide live data that can be accessed remotely, while automatic meter reading (AMR) devices send regular readings without the need for manual checks.

Sub-metering may also be available if you own or operate premises with multiple tenants or departments, enabling usage breakdowns across different areas or users. These metering setups are particularly valuable for landlords or campus-style businesses that need to track internal usage for billing or accountability. Some suppliers offer remote diagnostics or automated consumption reports that feed directly into business management systems.

Billing formats and payment flexibility

Suppliers can adapt their billing processes to better suit each business – for example, e-billing can simplify invoice delivery and reduce paperwork. If you’d prefer, you may be able to ask for consolidated billing, which rolls up charges for multiple sites into a single invoice. Alternatively, you may decide you’d benefit the most from split billing between departments or tenants.

The frequency of payments, and the payment methods are two other elements that can also be tailored, with options for monthly, quarterly, or even bespoke cycles, as well as the ability to set payment dates that align with internal finance processes. Certain suppliers also provide budgeting tools, instalment plans, or variable billing cycles for businesses with seasonal trading patterns.

Usage monitoring and alerts

To avoid surprises and help control costs, suppliers often provide usage monitoring systems that display real-time consumption data through an online portal. That can give you the ability to set up alerts to flag unusual patterns – such as a sudden spike that may suggest a leak or operational issue. It provides a valuable opportunity to act quickly and decisively, which may even prevent thousands of pounds in wasted water. Some systems even break down usage by hour or equipment type, depending on the metering setup. Suppliers may also support ongoing performance reviews, sending regular summaries or predictive reports based on past consumption trends.

Water efficiency audits and site surveys

Some water suppliers can send specialists to conduct on-site surveys and audits tailored to your business type. These visits assess how and where water is used, pinpoint inefficiencies, and recommend practical improvements. This could include low-flow fixtures, timed taps, or more complex process changes. Reports are typically provided with cost-saving estimates and payback periods, helping decision-makers justify investment in upgrades. You may find that some suppliers offer benchmarking against industry standards, or highlight potential grant funding to support the implementation of efficiency measures.

Support for sustainability goals

If you’re one of the many organisations increasingly aiming for improved environmental credentials, especially if you’re aiming for net zero, you may think it worth taking the time to seek out suppliers who are now offering services aligned with sustainability strategies. This may include carbon footprint tracking linked to water usage, advice on water reuse systems such as greywater recycling, and help integrating water management into ESG reporting. Larger businesses may gain access to customised resource plans that map out five- or ten-year reduction goals. Some suppliers even partner with third-party environmental consultants to help customers achieve accreditations such as ISO 14001 or support B Corp certification efforts.

Account management for large users

If your organisation is a relatively large consumer of water, you’re more likely to want a more personalised service, with a dedicated account manager acting as a single point of contact. These managers provide custom reporting, coordinate site-specific services, and assist with performance tracking over time. They may also arrange periodic review meetings to assess consumption trends, pricing options, and service quality. Tailored escalation procedures, strategic advice, and internal reporting tools are also often included, helping facility or procurement managers stay in control across complex portfolios.

Trade effluent advice and compliance

For businesses that discharge wastewater containing chemicals, oils, or other contaminants, managing trade effluent is a legal requirement. Suppliers can help with navigating the regulations, assisting with discharge consent applications, monitoring equipment setup, and pre-treatment options. Tailored advice can be really helpful in ensuring that your business remains compliant, while also identifying opportunities to reduce costs through treatment improvements or discharge reduction. Some suppliers also conduct training for staff handling trade effluent, and support routine sampling or automatic log submissions to local water authorities.

Tariff optimisation and benchmarking

Suppliers may analyse your historical water usage to ensure you’re on the most cost-efficient tariff available. Some also offer benchmarking tools that compare your water consumption to similar businesses in the same sector, flagging areas of potential excess. This can help you make data-led decisions and switch to a more appropriate pricing model if needed. If your business is undergoing any operational changes – such as expansion or downscaling – you can also request proactive re-evaluation to avoid unnecessary cost increases or be alerted to emerging usage anomalies.

Emergency response planning

Water supply disruption can cause major issues for any business, but it’s especially worrying for critical sites such as healthcare facilities, food producers, or logistics hubs. Suppliers can support contingency planning through tailored emergency protocols, including access to tankered water, pre-arranged shut-off procedures, and priority reconnection status. Some suppliers even work with facilities teams to rehearse responses to simulated incidents, reducing downtime in real emergencies. Emergency kits, bypass valve configurations, and network backup supply options can also be built into long-term continuity plans.

Multi-language and accessible services

To meet the needs of a diverse or regulated workforce, some suppliers offer communications and support in multiple languages or formats. This might include translated billing documents, multilingual customer portals, or customer service teams trained in accessibility standards. If your business operates in a sector like retail, hospitality, or care services, where the staff may be multilingual, these options make supplier interaction smoother and reduce billing errors or service misunderstandings. Suppliers may also provide website accessibility tools, Easy Read guides, or phone-based interpretation services for customer support.

That’s just a quick breakdown of the services that may be involved – if you have any specific questions about any of them, or about the switching process in general, we’re always happy to help at The Business Water Shop. Feel free to get in touch on 0208 0517 675, or contact@thebusinesswatershop.co.uk!

Or, if you’re already to make the switch, we can help there too. With a network of trusted suppliers at our disposal that spans across the UK, we’re perfectly positioned to get you the most competitive water quotes for your business. In fact, we’re able to save some customers up to 55% on their water bills, and you can count on us to use all our resources and industry expertise to get you the best deal.

It only takes a few minutes to get your online quote – so if you’re thinking about switching business water suppliers, there’s never been a better time to do it!