Todd Sumamno
In 2017 the commercial water market in England was deregulated, which means that most businesses – unlike residential homes – can choose which company they wish to have supply their water services. What this means for you as a business owner is that you now have the possibility to save money on your water bills by switching your supplier. Many businesses have been overcharged for water in the past without being aware of it, so this could be a great opportunity to cut back on your spending and save some money to invest in other areas of your company. Read on to find out more.
Should I have a water audit?
Business water prices can be high, so a water audit can be a very helpful way to find out if your business has been overcharged in the past – and if you can claim the money back. It involves conducting in-depth research of your company’s history of business water rates, and scouring the market for the best rates available for your needs. This can help you to lower bills, get better value for your money, and even become more water-efficient.
What other benefits might I see?
In addition to potentially saving money, switching your water supplier could help you to get a contract that is better suited to your particular business needs. Whether you’re a small business or a large corporation, there will be something available that’s tailored to you. You might also benefit from better customer service, advice on water efficiency, and additional services related to areas such as billing.
How do I switch water suppliers?
In order to switch water suppliers, the first thing you’ll want to do is contact different companies to request quotes. To do so there’s certain information you’ll need to have on hand, including your company’s name and address, contact details, your annual water consumption, and your supply point ID (SPID). It’s also helpful to have your unique property reference number, demand profile and annual spend.
To make the process easier, you may wish to use a broker. They will negotiate with water suppliers on your behalf, giving you access to preferential rates that you probably wouldn’t be able to get on your own. It also saves you a lot of time and hassle when it comes to research. Once you have decided which is the best water supplier for you, the rest is fairly straightforward. Your new supplier may even contact your existing one for you, to make the transition even easier.
How else can I save money on company water bills?
Even after you’ve got the best deal on your water, there are more actions you can take to reduce your spend. For example you could install automatic taps in the bathrooms to reduce water usage, or switch to spray taps as these also use less water. Another option is to reduce the amount of water used in each toilet flush by installing cistern displacement devices or switching to dual flush toilets.
