Same pipes. Your retailer.
Since April 2017, businesses in England can choose who bills them for water and wastewater. The pipes, the water and the people who fix a burst main stay exactly as they are. We look at your supply and move you to a new retailer if it makes sense.
Send us your latest water bill, all pages. A photo on WhatsApp is fine.
Barber Barber, Barton Arcade, Deansgate. Every cut ends at the basin, and on a barber's water bill what goes down the plughole is charged as well as what comes out of the tap.
Two companies, one glass of water
Business water is split in two. Knowing which half does what is most of what you need to know before you switch.
The wholesaler
Your regional water company. It owns the pipes, treats and supplies the water, and takes the wastewater away for treatment. In the North West that's United Utilities. You can't change your wholesaler, and you don't need to: switching doesn't touch the pipes.
The retailer
The company that reads the meter, sends the bill and answers the phone when something's wrong. In England this is the part you can choose. Retailers buy from the wholesaler and add their own charge for running your account, so that's where prices differ.
Who can switch depends on the address
Water markets opened at different times in different parts of Great Britain, and one hasn't really opened at all.
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Scotland, since 2008
Scotland opened its business water market first. Any business there can choose its water retailer.
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England, since April 2017
Businesses in England can choose who supplies their water and wastewater retail services. The regional wholesaler stays the same.
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Wales, very large users only
In Wales only very large users can switch. Most Welsh businesses stay with their regional water company.
What a water quote shows you
We ask retailers to price your supply from the usage on your bill. Every quote splits the cost the same way, so you can see which part a new retailer can actually change.
On your quote
- Wholesale charge
- What the regional wholesaler charges for the water, the wastewater and the pipes.
- Retail cost
- The retailer's charge for reading, billing and looking after your account.
- Total cost
- The two added together. This is the number to compare.
SPID Each supply has its own Supply Point ID, printed on your bill. It's how retailers find your supply.
Final contracts are subject to the retailer's acceptance and validation. Prices can change if the retailer's pricing or your site details change.
Water questions we get asked
Will anything change at the tap if I switch water retailer?
No. The regional wholesaler still owns the pipes, supplies the water and takes the wastewater away. Switching changes who bills you and looks after your account, nothing else.
What's a SPID and where do I find it?
A Supply Point ID. Each supply has one and it's printed on your water bill. It's how retailers identify your supply, so we'll ask for it with your latest bill.
My business is in Wales. Can I switch?
Only very large users can switch water retailer in Wales. Most Welsh businesses stay with their regional company. Ring us on 0161 814 9299 and we'll tell you where you stand.
Can the price change after I've agreed it?
Final contracts are subject to the retailer's acceptance and validation. If the retailer's pricing or your site details turn out different from what the quote was based on, the price can change. We'll tell you before anything is signed.
What do you need from me to get a quote?
Your latest water bill, all pages. A photo on WhatsApp is fine. It has your SPID and the usage we price from.
Send us your water bill.
All pages, a photo is fine. We'll check your SPID, ask retailers to price it and ring you back. Or call 0161 814 9299 and ask about water.