How to Switch Business Water Supplier in 5 Easy Steps (2024 Guide)

Since water deregulation in England in 2017, businesses have had the legal right to choose their water retailer. Despite this, many UK businesses still haven’t taken the opportunity to switch. This guide breaks down how to switch business water suppliers into five simple steps, helping you cut costs, improve service, and access better billing tools.

Why Switch Business Water Providers?

There are several strong reasons why businesses are choosing to switch business water suppliers in 2024:

• Save between 5% and 18% annually
• Get access to better customer service and billing systems
• Improve environmental reporting and sustainability monitoring
• Consolidate billing for multiple sites

According to Ofwat, businesses that switch water providers typically gain not only financial benefits but also operational improvements. In a competitive retail market, providers are offering smarter solutions, from automatic meter reading (AMR) and online dashboards to carbon reporting tools that align with ESG targets.

Step 1: Review Your Current Business Water Usage

Start by looking at your most recent business water bill. Key things to check:

• Annual consumption (m³)
• Current tariff and standing charge
• Billing cycle and payment terms

You’ll need these details when requesting quotes or comparing suppliers. If your company has multiple sites, compile consumption data from each location for a more accurate overall estimate. High-consumption users, such as manufacturers or hospitality operators, will benefit the most from granular data.

Also, check whether you are being billed based on actual meter readings or estimates. Inaccurate data can mask inefficiencies, such as undetected leaks or peak-time overuse. Businesses should ensure regular meter readings or consider investing in AMR technology to gain full visibility of water usage.

Additionally, reviewing usage trends over the past 12 to 24 months can help identify whether costs have gradually increased and why. If your consumption is consistent but charges are rising, that could signal poor contract terms or hidden service fees.

Step 2: Compare Water Suppliers and Tariffs

Now it’s time to compare business water suppliers. Focus on:

• Average tariff per m³
• Retail service fees
• Online portal features
• Customer support reviews
• Value-added services (like leak detection or water audits)

Many suppliers now offer intuitive dashboards, automated meter reading (AMR) integration, and sustainability tracking. This makes comparing more than just the unit price important. Water contracts include standing charges, volumetric rates, wastewater fees, and regional supply adjustments. An overall contract comparison is more useful than looking at just the pence-per-m³ headline.

Popular suppliers in 2024 include:

• Everflow Water
• Water Plus
• Castle Water
• Business Stream
• Wave Utilities

Some platforms allow direct comparison, or you can contact suppliers individually. Using an energy and water broker is another option, though be sure to check their commission structure.

Comparing three to five quotes is best practice. Use spreadsheets to compare overall projected annual costs, including standing charges. Consider asking suppliers to break down their fee structure and to highlight any introductory offers, rebate schemes, or discounts available for multi-year contracts.

Step 3: Choose the Right Business Water Contract

Once you’ve shortlisted a few providers, review their terms carefully:

• Contract length (typically 12–36 months)
• Exit fees (if any)
• Payment methods (Direct Debit, BACS, online)
• Value-added services (such as onsite audits, greywater solutions, or ESG reports)

Also consider how each provider handles customer support. Can you speak with a real person quickly? Are usage reports downloadable? Can your billing be consolidated across multiple sites or departments?

Some suppliers specialise in sectors such as healthcare, education, or retail. Sector-specific experience can reduce administrative work and ensure compliance. For example, a healthcare provider might need evidence of water quality and regular flushing regimes, which a retail-focused supplier might not prioritise.

Review how each supplier integrates with your accounting or facilities software. Modern platforms offer CSV downloads or API integration for seamless data export, helping finance and sustainability teams collaborate more effectively.

Step 4: Notify Your Chosen Supplier

Once you agree to switch, your new supplier will take over. They’ll:

• Notify your current supplier
• Handle all paperwork and meter readings
• Ensure no disruption to your service

The full switching process takes about 28 days, depending on meter location and your contract status. Most businesses experience no change in water pressure or quality, as infrastructure remains managed by regional wholesalers.

During this period, be sure to:

• Document your final meter reading
• Keep a record of final invoices from your old supplier
• Confirm payment details and start date with the new provider
• Clarify any data migration steps for usage tracking

Step 5: Confirm Billing and Monitor Savings

After switching:

• Check your first invoice for accuracy
• Set up your online portal access
• Track your monthly consumption and savings
• Establish a schedule to review performance every 6–12 months

Tools like usage trend graphs, PDF invoice downloads, and carbon impact estimators help you make better decisions long-term. Some providers, like Business Stream or Wave Utilities, offer alerts for sudden consumption spikes—useful for identifying leaks.

Monitoring data over time can also assist in building water efficiency strategies. Examples include:

• Installing low-flow fixtures
• Educating staff on consumption awareness
• Reviewing irrigation systems for landscaping

Switching Multi-Site Businesses

If your company operates across different locations, switching water supplier can also simplify billing by consolidating accounts. Suppliers like Business Stream or Castle Water specialise in these complex portfolios. They offer:

• Multi-meter invoicing
• Custom contracts by region
• Dedicated account management

You can also request bespoke tariffs or value-added services like AMR installation and on-site consumption training for facilities managers.

Multi-site companies should look for bundled invoicing and consolidated usage reports. These tools save time and reduce administrative errors, especially when managing over a dozen meters across regions.

Case Study: Mid-Sized Retailer Saves £3,800 After Switching

A regional clothing chain with eight locations in the North West switched from a default water contract to a tailored plan with Wave Utilities. The results:

• Annual savings of £3,800
• Consolidated monthly billing
• Leak identified at one store through automated monitoring

The switch also helped the company integrate water usage into its broader sustainability KPIs.

Another example comes from a food manufacturer in Yorkshire that moved to Everflow. Their key benefits included:

• Immediate online portal access for multiple sites
• 24/7 leak detection alerts
• Better cash flow management via monthly billing

Common Myths About Switching Water Suppliers

Myth 1: “Switching is complicated.”
Reality: Most suppliers manage the process for you.

Myth 2: “There’s a risk of service disruption.”
Reality: Your water source and pipework remain unchanged.

Myth 3: “Only large businesses benefit.”
Reality: SMEs also see savings and better digital services.

Myth 4: “I have to wait for my current contract to expire.”
Reality: You can often negotiate early exits, especially if your existing supplier has raised rates.

Myth 5: “All suppliers are the same.”
Reality: Differences in technology, reporting, and customer service vary widely.

Final Checklist Before You Switch Business Water

✅ Recent water bill with meter number
✅ Understanding of annual usage and current rates
✅ List of quotes from 3–5 suppliers
✅ Preferred billing method (monthly, quarterly, DD)
✅ Timeline to switch (preferably before renewal date)
✅ Internal stakeholder approval (for large or multi-site orgs)
✅ Sustainability or ESG targets aligned with your supplier
✅ Plans for post-switch monitoring

Tools and Resources

Use these free tools:

• Ofwat market data
• MOSL market operator info
• CCWater complaints data
• Supplier portals and comparison tools

These platforms let you compare supplier performance, complaint ratios, and tariff benchmarks. Some also publish customer service metrics and average switching timeframes.

Conclusion: Switch Business Water to Save Money and Improve Service

Switching business water supplier is simple, effective, and often overlooked. With just a few hours of research, you can find better tariffs, improve service, and gain modern tools to track your usage.

SMEs can reduce admin time and costs. Larger businesses can gain contract flexibility, performance monitoring, and access to green reporting features.

Make switching part of your procurement calendar every two to three years, and involve your sustainability and finance teams for maximum value.

So don’t delay. Use this guide to switch and start saving today.

Learn more about “Top 10 Business Water Suppliers in the UK ” or “Compare Business Water Suppliers “