Managing water usage and costs will be an inevitable part of successfully running a business, regardless of size, industry, or all otherwise. For UK business, water isn’t a utility-to be used; it is a resource that significantly influences the cost of running the operations of a company-primarily for manufacturing, hospitality, and agriculture, where consumption rates of water are high.
Since 2017, when the business water market in England was deregulated, businesses are given the power to choose their water supplier. This allows businesses to shop around for the best deals for business water in the UK, hence helping cut costs and gain better service. In this blog, we shall discuss the best offers for business water within the UK; matters to consider when changing one supplier to another; and tips on the efficient use of water to save money.
Business Water Market in the UK
Before unveiling how to go about finding the best deals for business water in the UK, it is highly imperative to first get a keen insight on the structure of the business water market. In April 2017, England followed Scotland’s lead by deregulating its business water market, enabling businesses, charities, and public sector organizations to select their water and wastewater services provider.
This simply means that, in the current situation, businesses have the opportunity to pick a supplier from among many licensed suppliers, negotiate with regard to costs and even have services tailored to suit their needs. Businesses in Wales may change their suppliers only if their consumption rate exceeds 50 million liters of water per year, but complete deregulation of water markets has been done for businesses in Northern Ireland and Scotland.
Deregulation among water suppliers ushered in competition. With this competition, more competitive prices, as well as better services for customers, come with it. In addition, it gives a business an opportunity to seek the best deal about UK business water, saving it and giving it good quality service.
Why Switch Business Water Suppliers?
A change in business water suppliers can bring several benefits in the light of cost savings and improving services, as well as tailored plans. Here are some of the most compelling reasons that lead businesses to find better deals:
Cutting Bills: The most compelling reason a business changes their business water supplier lies with the reduction of bills. Comparing rate quotes from different suppliers can give businesses much better prices, whether it’s through cheaper tariffs or even more favorable contract terms.
In today’s business arena, many firms prefer suppliers with an excellent quality of customer service. Other reasons for changing suppliers may include billing issues or perhaps they take forever to get back to one. Put simply, bad communication with suppliers has one seeking another supplier.
Customized Services Most businesses have different needs. Companies now offer customized services based on the level of consumption, industry-specific needs, and goals toward sustainability. For example, a hospitality business may require unique solutions that reduce water waste while minimizing operating expenses without reducing their level of service.
Other services of water efficiency: This service will enable the suppliers to support businesses in checking and minimizing their water usage. It will, therefore, assist them in saving money in the long term. Some of the services may include a water audit, leak detection, and installation of devices that save water.
Even as many seek to lower their level of environmental impact, sustainability has also been in the headlines lately. Environmentally friendly solutions that now dot the landscape include rainwater harvesting, greywater recycling, and carbon-neutral water services. Several companies now offer business solutions that will help organizations work towards sustainability.
How to Find Best Deals for Business Water in the UK
Getting the best deals for business water in the UK really requires careful attention to the different factors: the consumption of water, the price presented by the supplier, and services offered. A step-by-step process to guide businesses to find the right water deal follows below.
1. Understanding Your Water Usage
Understand the average patterns of business water consumption before shopping around for deals. Track your current water bills to see the average amount of water used by your business in terms of metered water supply and wastewater services, thereby helping you negotiate better rates and determine the right kind of contract for your business.
To businesses using large volumes of water-considering or involving factories and hotels-even slight savings on water charges can result in substantial savings over the long term. Knowing what you use now also helps determine water-saving options your suppliers may be offering.
2. Compare Business Water Suppliers
With deregulation, firms can now shop around for better rates. Use online comparison tools to review multiple suppliers and what they offer in terms of the rates.
Compare not only the price per cubic meter of water but also the standing charges, which are the fixed costs for both supply and waste management in that particular locality.
Among other factors to consider when comparing different suppliers include:
Rating for customer service: Find people who have experiences of how the supplier can solve problems and respond to enquiries.
Additional services: Some suppliers offer value-added services such as leak detection, water audits, or customized conservation solutions.
Flexibility: Ensure the supplier provides flexibility in the contract terms, especially if your water usage is seasonal.
3. Negotiate Better Rates
Once you’ve identified some potential suppliers, it’s then time to negotiate. Suppliers offer specific deals that are designed to suit your needs. Do not wait for them to suggest such since you consume so much water. A long-term contract can also lead to a lower rate in that suppliers tend to offer better deals if assured of guaranteed business over such an extended period.
Businesses that know how much water they use and have quotes from a variety of suppliers will have the best opportunity to get the best business water deals in the UK.
4. Bundle Utility Services
Some utility providers bundle services. This bundles water with other utility services such as electricity or gas. The saving increases further since the suppliers tend to give discounts when carrying out multi-utility contracts. Bundling services also makes billing and customer service easier because of having one point of contact for many utilities.
5. Monitor and Reduce Water Use
The most effective way to save on water bills is by using less water, regardless of the supplier you choose. Many suppliers offer services to make businesses more water-efficient-the services not only save costs but also align with sustainability goals. Some important strategies for reducing the use of water include:
Installing water-saving devices: Simple interventions like low-flow taps, dual-flush toilets, and water-efficient appliances can considerably save water.
Detection of leakages: Leakage can be a very significant waste of water and cost you more in your bill. Routine checks and immediate repairs will ensure wastage is averted.
Carrying out a water audit: Most of the water suppliers carry out audits to make an assessment of your company’s water usage and hence determine the extent of savings possible.
By monitoring the usage and incorporating water-saving practices, businesses are able to reduce consumption and perhaps negotiate better prices with the suppliers.
6. Careful review of contract terms
Look at the terms of the new contract before signing it, and pay attention to little things such as:
Duration of contract: The more extended a contract is, the lower you are going to pay. However, it keeps you tied to a supplier for much longer than you desired to be, depending on how your business is going to be in the future.
Exit fees: Some contracts carry termination fees. You might be forced to pay in advance to switch suppliers if the contract you’ve agreed to has some months to run.
Hidden fees: Try to find out if there are ‘administrative fees’, charges for over-usage or additional wastewater services charge.
Knowing the terms and conditions of the contract will give you better ideas on how you can acquire the best deals for your business water in the UK without having any surprise down the line.
Best Business Water Suppliers in the UK
Now that we have covered how to get the best deals on business water in the UK, let’s turn to some of the top players in the market. Each of them has different models for pricing as well as the type of services and contract terms; therefore, comparison is the order of the day to find what works best for you.
1. Water Plus
Water Plus is one of the largest providers of business water in the UK, supplying water to businesses of all sizes. Their competitive tariffs accompany a wider portfolio of water efficiency services, from comprehensive water audits through to leak detection. Great customer service and flexible terms also mark Water Plus out as a quality provider.
2. Wave
Wave is one of the biggest companies in the business water market in UK. They specialize in bespoke services and competitive pricing. It majorly focuses on the solution for water efficiency and offers advisory services that help know how to decrease water consumption while saving money.
3. Castle Water
Castle Water offers water services to businesses across the entire UK but at extremely competitive prices. It offers flexible contract options and is known for its customer support besides a full suite of water management tools offered to companies that allows them to monitor and minimize usage and wastage.
4. Business Stream
Business Stream offers business-specific packages for companies based in England and Scotland. It gives its customers competitive pricing as well as some additional services in terms of water efficiency advice and customized water management plans to support the cost-cutting measures of the company on its water bills.
5. SES Business Water
The SES Business Water company targets value for money delivery, and the offers presented some competitive rates together with solutions aligned to the size of business. The company promotes water-saving measures and supports a business in optimizing its use of water.
De-regulation of the UK business water market granted business the ability to have more choice and control by suppliers, therefore it made it relatively easy to find the best deals for UK business water. Businesses could save on their water bill as well as ensure a better service quality just through understanding of consumption, comparing suppliers, negotiating rates, and optimizing usage.
With so much choice, companies that take their time to research the market and align their water contracts with their requirements will surely end up with a better deal on business water in the UK and therefore reap long-term savings in addition to more efficient operations.