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Business water for pubs
The pub industry in the UK is a cornerstone of local communities, with thousands of pubs and bars operating across England and Scotland. Water is always going to be one of your essential overheads, whether you run a small country inn or a busy city centre pub, and due to the nature of the business, it’s always useful to keep an eye on your usage.
If you own or manage a pub, it always helps to get to grips early with how business water rates work, and how to keep your costs down. That’s exactly where we can help here at The Business Water Shop – here, you can find out more about how your water contract works, what costs to expect, and the steps you can take to reduce your bills.
You can also compare business water suppliers using our handy tool – if you’re thinking of switching suppliers for whatever reason, we can make the entire process simple and straightforward, so you can change to one that better suits your pub’s needs.
What are the water rates associated with pubs?
Pubs are charged two main types of business water costs: volumetric charges and standing charges.
Volumetric Charges
These charges are based on how much water your pub uses, along with the wastewater returned to the sewer. Pubs often have higher water usage due to drink preparation, glass washing, kitchen operations, toilets for customers, and cleaning throughout the venue.
Your unit rate depends on your location and your current supplier’s tariff. For example, if your unit rate is £1.25 per m³ and your pub uses 500 m³ in a year, your annual usage cost would be:
£1.25 × 500 = £625.00
Obviously the more water you use, the higher the cost will be, so improving efficiency can make a big difference to your bills.
Standing Charges
Standing charges are fixed daily or monthly fees that cover services like water supply, wastewater collection, drainage, and the retail cost of billing. These charges vary by region. For example:
£0.85 per day × 365 days = £310.25 per year
Both charges appear on your water bill, and together they make up your total business water cost.
Why do pubs often pay more for water?
Essentially, pubs have unique usage patterns. Whatever type of establishment you run, water will always be one of your most significant utility expenses, used for everything from constantly running taps behind the bar to busy kitchens, high-footfall toilets, glass washing, and regular cleaning.
Because of this, it’s important to ensure that your tariff and supplier are the best fit for your business. Some suppliers offer lower rates for high-volume users, while others provide water efficiency advice and support tailored to businesses like yours.
That’s where we can help at The Business Water Shop. We’re here to help you find the right supplier for your needs, and we can simplify the process of switching too. Just input your details into our Compare Business Water Rates page, and we’ll handle the rest!
How to lower your pub’s water bills
Even with high usage, there are a variety of ways you can cut costs. Some of the most reliable ones include the following:
• Install tap aerators behind the bar to reduce water flow without affecting performance
• Use efficient glass washers and dishwashers to minimise water consumption per cycle
• Check for leaks in toilets, pipes, or bar taps — a small leak can waste thousands of litres over time
• Install water-saving toilets or urinal controls to reduce unnecessary flushes
• Use smart metering to monitor your usage in real time and spot unexpected spikes early
• A business water audit from our team at The Business Water Shop can highlight savings opportunities specific to your pub’s usage patterns.
Can I switch my water supplier for my pub?
Yes. The water market has been deregulated for business customers for a long time now – since 2017 in England and 2008 in Scotland – which means you’re free to choose your water retailer. Switching can lead to:
• Lower costs when you move away from default tariffs and secure better rates.
• Better service with suppliers offering faster response times and dedicated account managers.
• Flexible billing so you can choose payment methods and schedules that suit your cash flow.
Our business water comparison service enables you to quickly compare suppliers and find the right one for your pub.
How much can I save by switching suppliers?
Savings tend to vary based on your usage and your current business water rates. Pubs with higher water consumption often see the biggest benefits, as even small per-unit savings can quickly add up. Switching can also improve your billing terms and make costs more predictable. Let us do the hard work of finding you the best deal. Get started today by using our comparison tool!
What if my pub does not have a water meter?
If you don’t have a meter, your charges will likely be based on the property’s rateable value — an unmeasured tariff. While this is a fixed annual cost, you could still be paying more than necessary. It’s one of the reasons why it’s so helpful to compare unmeasured tariffs between suppliers – it can still produce savings.
Got more questions about pub water rates?
If you have further questions about water rates for pubs, or if you want to know exactly how much you could save, our team is ready to help.
Get started today by comparing business water suppliers!
