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What essential information do you need to switch water suppliers?
Here at the Business Water Shop, we’ve made it our mission to ensure that it’s never been easier to switch business water suppliers. There are no endless paper forms to fill out – we’ve stripped out all the hassle so that all you need to get started are a few quick details, and you’ll have your own instant online quote in no time. So if you’re looking to make the switch yourself, you can save yourself a bit of time by assembling that you’ve got all the information you might need well in advance. Here’s a quick heads-up on the main bits you’ll almost certainly be asked for, as well as a couple of extra pieces that would also help move things along!
Business name and address details
This is a fairly obvious one – you’ll start off by providing your legal business name and the full supply address where the water services are used. This information identifies your premises within the national water system, so ultimately they’ll be integral to helping your supplier to begin the switching process.
It may also help to supply your registered office address if it differs from your trading address, though this is not always required. Some suppliers may request a company registration number or VAT number to help with that identification process, but these don’t have to be supplied in every case.
Supply point identification numbers
As the next stage in our process – as with most brokers or suppliers – you’ll be asked to provide your SPID, or Supply Point Identification Number. This is one of the most critical pieces of data for the entire process, as again it’s a vital piece of information used to identify your connection within the national water system.
You’ll find the SPID on your water bill, generally near your account or meter number. If your business has multiple sites, each will have its own SPID, and you’ll need to submit all of them to complete the switch across all locations. Providing your meter number can also help confirm the correct supply point, particularly when the infrastructure is on the more complex side. If you’re struggling to find your SPID, your current supplier can issue it directly.
Current supplier and contract information
Next, you’ll also need to confirm the name of your current water supplier and provide the customer reference number linked to your account. These are necessary for locating your existing contract and starting the transfer. Most of this information you can expect to find clearly marked on your latest bill, but if not, your current supplier can provide it directly.
At the initial stage, you may not need to know contract start and end dates, along with any notice period or early exit clauses, but knowing them can help you avoid penalties or delays. Supplying a copy of your current contract can also often be helpful.
Recent usage and billing data
Now, this one is not always strictly required, but providing at least 12 months of water usage data can often go a long way to helping suppliers to understand your consumption, so they can give you more precise quote. Usage is typically measured in cubic metres (m³), and again, you can find this information on your past bills.
If your business has seasonal fluctuations, or operates on a variable pattern, usage history helps ensure any offer is based on real consumption rather than estimates. Meter readings are also helpful but also not necessarily mandatory – the same goes for information about your current payment method.
Authorisation and contact information
Finally, you’ll also need to supply the name and job title of the person within your business who is authorised to approve a new supply agreement. Some members have dedicated members of staff for dealing with business water supplies, but that’s not necessarily true for everyone – for other people, it may just fall under their general remit (such as some operations managers), or they may have been specifically assigned to deal with it, as is common for many smaller organisations.
Your supplier will also need essential contact details like a phone number and email address, so that they can reach the right person if anything needs clarification or formal approval. As well as helping communication flow more efficiently, stating a preferred method of contact helps avoid unnecessary back and forth.
And of course, if you ever need any advice about any of the information above, or you’re having trouble finding any of it, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team here at The Business Water Shop. Or if you’re already good to go, you’re in exactly the right place!
We have a trusted network of suppliers that encompasses the whole of the UK, which makes us the perfect option to get you the most competitive water quotes for your business. We’ve even been able to save some customers up to 55% on their water bills, so you can count on us to get you the best deal. Ready to compare business water today?
