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Business water for farms
Agriculture is one of the UK’s largest water users. From crop irrigation to livestock watering, dairy operations to equipment cleaning, water is always going to be one of your most significant overheads if you own or operate a farm – and often in significant volumes.
Here, our experts at The Business Water Shop explore how farm water charges work, why costs can be high, and look at a few practical ways to save money and improve water efficiency on your land.
What are the water rates associated with farms?
• Volumetric Charges: For irrigation, livestock, dairies, and cleaning. Example: £1.25 × 5,000 m³/year = £6,250.
• Standing Charges: Fixed costs, e.g., £0.85/day × 365 = £310.25.
Why farms often pay more for water
Large land areas, multiple buildings, livestock needs, and seasonal irrigation often create heavy demand, which is one of the reasons why water often remains a major operational cost.
Thankfully, there are a couple of ways you can explore to lower your farm’s water bills:
• Invest in rainwater harvesting for irrigation and cleaning
• Use drip irrigation systems to reduce wastage
• Install efficient troughs and automatic shut-off valves for livestock
• Regularly inspect pipes and tanks for leaks
• Install a water meter, which can help you detect leaks early
Switching suppliers
Many farms save by moving to suppliers with better tariffs for high-volume users or agricultural customers. We can help you find the best deal on business water rates for your farm. You can start by using our comparison tool!
Metered vs unmetered
If you don’t already have a water meter, you might benefit from installing one, as meters allow better cost tracking and efficiency planning. However, given the high-volume usage of most farms, you need to weigh up the pros and cons against having a stable, fixed-cost bill.
