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Why business water rates matter to your company
Essentially, getting a handle on your business water rates is the first step towards taking greater control of your utility costs. When you’re busy with the day-to-day running of your business, or your other duties, we know it can be hard to find the time to fully understand how your business water charges are structured – and whether you can potentially be paying too much.
That’s where we can help here at The Business Water Shop. We’re here to make it fast, simple and easy to learn what you need to know, and compare your current setup with the best commercial water rates on the market today.
What are business water rates, and why do they vary?
Business water rates are the charges your company pays for the supply of clean water and the removal of wastewater from your premises. These charges are paid to your business water supplier, which is the company responsible for handling customer service, billing, meter-management, and account queries. (The actual physical supply is handled by your wholesaler, which is a different organisation.)
These business water rates can differ depending on several factors, including your region, how much water you use, your choice of supplier, and the structure of your current contract. Countless organisations across the UK are still on outdated (often inherited) tariffs that don’t reflect their actual usage, which means they could be missing out on savings. Your business could be one of them.
How rates are calculated: fixed vs variable charges, usage tiers
Suppliers typically structure business water rates in the UK using a combination of fixed and variable charges.
Fixed charges cover the cost of infrastructure, maintenance, and administrative services. These are set amounts that apply regardless of how much water you consume, and help to fund the delivery and upkeep of the network supplying your premises.
Variable charges are based on your water consumption and wastewater discharge. These are calculated using meter readings, or if your premises aren’t metered, estimated usage instead. They fluctuate with your actual demand and can vary significantly between billing periods.
Some suppliers also apply tiered pricing models, where your cost per litre may increase or decrease depending on how much water your business uses. If your usage is high, seasonal, or spread across multiple sites, it’s worth reviewing whether your current charging structure still suits your needs – or if there’s a better fit available.
3 key factors that influence pricing
Business water rates aren’t set at a national level – they’re shaped by a variety of factors that are specific to your business and where it operates. These can all affect what you’re quoted, and what you end up paying. The most influential ones are as follows:
- Region. Wholesale water costs and infrastructure charges vary across the UK. This means that a business in one part of the country may pay significantly more or less than a similar operation elsewhere, even with roughly the same consumption. Local network conditions and supplier coverage also influence what’s available in your area.
- Consumption and usage patterns. The volume, frequency, and timing of your water use can all affect your pricing. Some suppliers offer better rates for consistent usage, while others provide deals tailored to seasonal or variable demand. If your consumption has changed over time, it may be worth reassessing your contract.
- Industry type. Different sectors may have different needs – for example, food production will have different usage patterns compared to office-based businesses. Suppliers may offer specialised rates or contract options to match your operational profile.
These differences can all influence what you’re charged – and highlight the importance of regularly reviewing your bill and contract.
How to identify overcharging or inefficiencies
It’s not always obvious at first glance when you’re being overcharged or billed inaccurately. So to help identify that, here are a couple of things worth checking for:
- Inactive supply points still being billed. You might be paying for supply points you no longer use – such as connections left over after a site move, a restructure, or a past contract change.
- Higher-than-expected wastewater charges. Wastewater is often billed separately to clean water, and the calculations aren’t always accurate. If some of the water you use doesn’t return to the system – like in manufacturing or cleaning processes – you could be charged more than you should be.
- Discrepancies in meter readings. If your bill is based on estimated or incorrect readings, the numbers may not reflect your actual usage. That can lead to overpayment, especially if the wrong meter has been used or readings haven’t been updated regularly.
- Lack of visibility or breakdown in your billing. When your invoices are vague or unclear, it’s harder to check what you’re paying for – and much easier to miss errors or hidden costs.
Why choose The Business Water Shop?
In short, everything we do is geared towards making things easier for you. We know how time-consuming it can be to deal with utility bills (and how hard it can often be to find that time), so we make it quick and simple to compare different business water rates from suppliers across the UK, so you’ll always have plenty of options in choosing the deal that works best for you.
As well as looking at pricing, we also take into account a variety of other factors important to customers looking for a new business water supplier – including contract terms, billing structures, customer support, and value-added services.
We can also provide additional support – including a business water audit – to help you work out if you could benefit from switching to a cheaper business water rate. And once you’ve chosen your quote, we’ll take care of everything on your behalf, managing the switch from start to finish. That’s how we’ve maintained a consistently high rating on Trustpilot – and we’re determined to keep it that way.
Check your current rates and compare new offers
It only takes a few moments to find out whether you could be saving money on your water supply. Just us a few quick details, and we’ll show you the most competitive offers available from our network of UK suppliers.
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