Can your business switch water supplier?

You don’t necessarily have to stay with the company currently sending your water bills. Eligible business premises can choose a different water retailer

We take a straightforward approach to helping our customers find a better deal on their water. The rules depend on how your premises are used and which regional water company serves them, not your postcode. 

For businesses with several locations, eligibility needs to be checked separately for each premises.

What changes when you switch business water supplier?

Business water services involve two different companies:

  • Your wholesaler: the regional water company responsible for the network and physical supply. 
  • Your retailer: the company handling billing, account management and customer service.

Switching changes your retailer, while your regional wholesaler and physical supply remain in place. 

That means you can compare retail charges and service without arranging a new water connection. 

Businesses in England

Most eligible businesses can switch water retailers. This includes charity and public sector premises, which can choose a retailer for both water and wastewater. 


Businesses in Scotland

Businesses in Scotland can choose a licensed water retailer, while Scottish Water continues operating the water and wastewater network.


Businesses in Wales

Premises operating under Welsh eligibility rules must meet a 50-million-litre annual water usage threshold to switch water retailers. The switching of wastewater is not available under this rule.

Landlord-billed, shared and home-based premises

Running a business from home does not automatically make your property eligible, because the way the premises are used matters. 

Our Trusted Business Water Suppliers - October 2026

At Love Business, we work with trusted business water retailers to offer our customers improved services and greater control. Here, you can find some of the features and services offered by Everflow and Water Plus.

Water Plus

Water Plus for Business

View the latest features and services offered by Water Plus for Business

  • Rated 'Great' with 4.2 stars on Trustpilot (Aug 2026)
  • Over 360,000 business customers
  • Customer Satisfaction Awards
  • MyAccount – a 1 stop online portal for all your needs
  • Direct debit payments
  • Water audits
  • Smart metering
  • Water efficiency support to reduce business water costs
  • Leak detection and repair
  • New connections
Everflow Pink

Everflow Water 

View the latest features and services offered by Everflow Water

  • Rated 'Excellent' with 4.6 stars on Trustpilot (Aug 2026)
  • UK's first 100% carbon neutral water supplier
  • Online account management
  • Transparent pricing showing exactly what you're paying for
  • Consolidated billing
  • 'EcoMOT' water efficiency audits
  • Smart meter loggers for your meter
  • Monitoring and efficiency products installation
  • Leak find and fix service
  • New connections

Understanding business water rates

Comparing business water prices means looking beyond a single headline rate.

Wholesale charges

Wholesale charges cover the underlying water and wastewater services provided by your regional water company, and they can change independently of your retail contract. Changing retailer does not change which regional wholesaler serves your premises.

Retail charges

Retail charges cover services such as billing, account management and customer support.

Some contracts fix these retail charges for an agreed term, while wholesale charges can still rise or fall. A fixed retail deal does not necessarily mean a fixed total water bill.

When reviewing a quote, check:

  • Which water and wastewater services it includes.
  • Standing charges and other applicable fees.
  • Whether drainage charges are included.
  • What is fixed and what can change.
  • Contract length, payment arrangements and exit terms.

Could switching reduce your business water bill?

Savings vary between premises, and businesses using relatively little water may find the price differences between retailers modest. That makes service worth comparing alongside price: billing and charges are a major source of complaints from business water customers.

Think about what matters most to your business:

  • Bills that are easy to understand.
  • Clear arrangements for meter readings.
  • Payment options that suit your cash flow.
  • Accessible customer support.
  • An online account that makes administration easier.
  • Support for understanding unusual charges or changing usage.


Our specialists can explain the available options so you can decide whether a different retailer would suit your business.

Business water for small businesses and multiple sites

One shop, office, salon or business premises

Start with the practical questions: can your premises switch, how do the charges compare, and what service would you receive?

You don’t need to understand every water-industry term before enquiring; our team can talk you through your comparison.

Keep your latest bill handy and consider what you would most like to improve, whether that’s price, payment arrangements or the time spent managing your account.

Several business locations

We can help businesses explore consolidated water billing through one retailer, reducing the number of accounts they need to manage.

Tell us where your sites are and what your current arrangements look like, so we can discuss your requirements.

How to Switch Business Water Suppliers

Switching water suppliers works similarly to the business energy market. Suppliers, better known as retailers, are responsible for billing businesses for commercial water use. You are now able to renew up to 180 days before your contract end date with Everflow.

In England and Scotland, the market is deregulated, meaning businesses are free to choose their water retailer. If you find a better deal, you can switch by signing a new contract, typically between one and three years.

  • Best Business Utilities Deals

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    Answer a few questions about your business so we know exactly what you need

  • Compare Water

    Choose your deal
    Choose the business water tariff that works for you with our expert team

  • Switch With Best Deals

    Switch to your new retailer
    We'll get you switched over to your new deal and keep you up to date every step of the way!

Switch and get free contract tracking, renewal alerts and more.

Here's what you can expect from day one:

  • No more scrambling when contracts end. We’re tracking everything.
  • Renewal rates flagged before they hit your bill. We’ll notify you.
  • Products and services from brands your business actually uses.
 

Over 80,000 businesses have already switched. You're in good company.

Average Business Water Bills by Company Size

Business water pricing depends on your location, wholesaler region, usage, and the retailer you choose. Rather than list fixed prices, which change often and vary by region, here's a general guide:

Small (under 500m3) £1.50–£2.40 Up to £1,165 Small offices, retail shops, takeaways, small salons. 
Medium (500–2,500m3) £1.50–£3.50 £2,250–£5,250 Larger offices, restaurants/ pubs/ cafes, gyms, schools. 
Large / multi-site (2,500m3+) Often negotiated below list rate £5,000–£8,000+, highly variable Manufacturing, hospitals, multi-site retail, leisure centres and farms. 


*Medium and large figures are estimates based on published per-m³ rates rather than a single official average; actual bills depend heavily on region, meter size, and (for larger sites) trade effluent charges.

How Business Water Suppliers (Retailers) Compare

How do business water suppliers (retailers) compare (medium-sized business, 1,500m³/year)

Water Plus Severn Trent £2.6080 £42.89 £1.5004 £105.85 £6,310
Water Plus United Utilities (Manchester) £2.3970 £73.89 £1.830 £127.48 £6,541
Wave Northumbrian Water £1.5609 £67.52 £1.7961 £159.30 £5,236
Castle Water Thames Water (London) £2.5895 £67.52 £1.7050 £139.23 £6,647
Business Stream Yorkshire Water (Yorkshire)  £2.00827 £62.48 £1.9176 £78.07 £6,140
Wave Anglian Water £2.2292 £100 £2.1357 £40 £6,686
Business Stream Southern Water (Brighton) £2.6470 £23.84 £3.1310 £40.88 £8,731
Water2Business Wessex Water £2.9569 £56 £2.5524 £27 £8,364
Business Stream Scottish Water (Scotland)  £0.9838 £56 £1.1269 £65.67 £3,324
Source for Business South West Water £2.7129 £54.41 £1.6326 £25.19 £6,597

 

Prices are collected from each retailer's fee document and are for a business using 1500m3 of water a year.

What Is Included In A Business Water Bill?

Here are some of the things you may find on your business water bill:

  • SPID (Supply Point ID) - a ten-digit code used by water suppliers to identify your business’s water consumption. You will likely have 2 SPID numbers, as one is for freshwater supply and the other is for wastewater removal.
  • Charges for freshwater supply and wastewater removal - freshwater charges include a fixed charge for meter maintenance and a volumetric consumption charge. Wastewater charges include a fixed charge for pipe maintenance with a return to sewerage charge.
  • VAT is only charged when involved in chemicals, construction, engineering, manufacturing, mining, textiles and utilities. 

When comparing water prices with Love Business, you don’t need to worry about anything. Simply enjoy seamlessly switching to your chosen business water supplier.

Read our guide on VAT applied to water bills. 

Dog Grooming Business Washing Dog.

How Can I Find the Best Business Water Rates?

The easiest way to find the best business water rates is to compare the latest prices. With Love Business, you can quickly find competitive business water rates from trusted suppliers.

All you need is a few details to get started. For the most accurate quotes it’s recommended that you provide:

  • Your business name & address
  • Your SPID number (Supply Point Identification Number)
  • Your contact details

Your SPID number can usually be found on your business water bills. You’re then ready to compare business water prices and start your switch to a new deal.

Compare Business Water Suppliers

Everflow Water 4.6 (Excellent) Up to 3 years Small business focus; transparent pricing; high-quality online portal. Advanced Billing: Billed at the start of the month based on estimates. Tech-focused: Portal, Email, and Phone.
Water Plus 4.2 (Great) Up to 3 years Massive infrastructure; paperless billing discounts; large-scale support. Fixed or Variable Direct Debit; BACS accepted. Traditional: "MyAccount" portal, Phone, and Email.
Yu Water 3.7 (Average) Up to 3 years Multi-utility specialist: Combines water, gas, and electricity. Payments are usually made via Direct Debit or bundled billing. Modern: Focused on WhatsApp and LiveChat.
Clear Business 4.5 (Excellent) Up to 3 years Bundled water, energy, and telecom; unique 7-day cooling-off period. Standard monthly billing (typically on the 5th). Integrated: "Customer Zone" portal for all services.
Castle Water 4.5 (Excellent) Up to 3 years Proactive leak detection; contingency planning for water-critical sites. Billing in Arrears: You pay after usage, not in advance. Data-driven: Online portal and Phone support.
Water2Business 4.8 (Excellent) Up to 3 years Wastewater efficiency audits: tailored management for multi-site firms. Options to spread costs via a monthly Direct Debit. Dedicated: Multi-site account managers & emergency links.
SES Business Water 4.7 (Excellent) Up to 3 years Regional expertise in the South; specialised leak repair services. Billing based on actual or estimated meter reads. Regional Specialist: Standard phone/email support.
Wave 4.8 (Excellent) Up to 3 years High-compliance reliability; specialised water efficiency tools. Consolidated Billing: One bill for multiple business locations. Professional: Email and Phone support.
Source for Business 4.8 (Excellent) Up to 3 years Hassle-free switching process; high accessibility for new customers. Flexible Direct Debit options for cash flow management. Human-Centric: Known for accessible phone support.
Business Stream 4.6 (Excellent) Up to 3 years Payment in Advance (PIA): Large discounts for paying 12 months upfront. Bills available in CSV/XLS; consolidated PDF statements. Full Service: Mobile App, Portal, and Phone.

Updated August 2026. 

What Is A Water Retailer And How Are They Different From Wholesalers?

Water wholesalers own and operate the network of pipes for specific regions. They act as wholesalers who sell the water supply to retailers. Water retailers package up and deliver customer service to businesses in the UK.

Businesses will interact exclusively with their water retailer, whereas in the domestic water market, consumers interact with the wholesaler. In the domestic water market, there is no switching of water suppliers.

Business Water Services

Check out some of the specific ways we can help reduce and simplify your business water bills.

  • Manage Your Wastewater Costs

    Waste water exits your business premises and enters the drains and sewerage system. The charges aren’t included in your switch because it’s treated as a separate service.

    Our experts can help you understand and manage wastewater too – it’s all part of our comprehensive support service.

  • Take Control of Your Water Bills

    If you've never switched business water supplier before, you will still be with your default water retailer. 

    By comparing water quotes and switching to a new deal, you can take control of your costs. You can select a service that is tailored to your business needs and offers support in managing your water usage.

  • Consolidate Multiple Premises Into One Water Bill

    If you have multiple locations in different water regions, you will have to deal with more than one water retailer. When you switch with Love Business, you can consolidate your bills to one water retailer.

    This means you will have one point of contact to manage all of your business costs. Dealing with just one water retailer could save you time and money.

  • Protect Your Bills With Fixed Rate Tariffs

    When you switch business water suppliers, you can benefit from a fixed rate tariffs for up to 3 years. 

    Fixing your water rates allows you to avoid sudden increases you may face on standard variable deals. Knowing that your retail water rates are fixed can help you budget effectively with convenient direct debit payments.

Why Compare Business Water Suppliers Now? 

Many UK businesses, both small and large, remain on default rates. These can be higher than current market rates. We've partnered with Water Plus and Everflow so we can bring great deals to Love Business customers. You can lock in your water rates for up to 36-months to protect yourself from price volatility. 

 

  • Consolidate billing - if you have multiple sites, you can bring them all into one bill. 
  • Better service - if you're tired of poor service, you can find an alternative retailer with a better understanding of your needs. 
  • Improved efficiency - some retailers offer meters to help you better manage your usage, to help you reduce consumption and save even more. 
Water wave line.

Business Water FAQs

  • How Do I Switch Water Suppliers for the First Time?

    Many businesses are still yet to switch water suppliers. This can result in playing more expensive out-of-contract rates with a default water retailer.

    The good news is that comparing water suppliers is just as simple whether you’re switching for the first time or you’ve switched before.

    When you compare business water prices, you can find the best deal available for your needs and fix your retail prices for up to 3 years.

    If you have any questions about the process of switching, our expert team will be on hand to help.

  • Will My Water Supply Turn Off When I Switch?

    No. You’re only changing the supplier who manages your billing. The pipes and other infrastructure stay the same at your business premises and the supply will flow uninterrupted.

  • How Long Does It Take To Switch Business Water?

    Usually around 28 days (including a ‘cooling off’ period). Remember to take a final reading before switching supplier – this helps make the whole process frictionless.

  • Does It Cost To Switch Business Water Supplier?

    Switching itself is free. If you’re leaving a contract early, you might need to pay a fee though.

  • Do I Get a Discount For Paying My Water Bills by Direct Debit?

    Some business water retail services do offer discounts if you pay by direct debit. When you compare water prices with us, our experts can advise on any discounts available. 

  • Can I Switch Water Suppliers If I’m Still in Contract?

    Yes. You might have to pay an early contract exit fee. It's recommended to compare any savings you may make on your new deal against the cost of leaving your current supplier. 

    If you switch during your renewal window, you will have no exit fees to pay. You can arrange a new deal to begin as soon as your current contract ends.

  • What is a SPID?

    Business water suppliers use the SPID (Supply Point ID) to work out the supply to your business premises. It’s a 10-digit code followed by a letter and you’ll usually have one for your freshwater supply and another for your sewerage connection.

  • Do I Need My SPID When Comparing Water Rates?

    It helps provide an accurate business water quote if you have your SPID number on hand. It can be found on a recent business water bill. Your SPID number is made up of ten digits and will be followed by a 'W' (for water supplies) or an 'S' (for sewerage supplies).

  • Which Water Company Supplies My Area?

    You can find out who supplies your water by looking at a recent bill. If you cannot find one, you can search who your local supplier is through Water UK. 

  • How Do Unmetered Charges Work?

    Some older buildings will not have a commercial water meter installed. In this case, your bill is not based on how much water you use. Typically your supplier will have a fixed charge for the business covering customer service and billing costs, with an additional charge based on the rateable value of the building. 

    A rateable value is a calculation suppliers use to understand how much to charge you for your estimated water usage. 

  • What Is A Default Water Tariff?

    This is a default level of service and is commonly known as the industries Default Standard Tariff. This is the maximum a provider can charge its customers for water and waste services.

    If your currently on a default water tariff, now is a great time to compare business water quotes and find a new deal. 

Get instant benefits the moment you
switch with Love Business

The moment you switch with us, you will get access to your own myHUB account,
where you’ll get free contract tracking, early renewal alerts and more. All in one dashboard.

 

Over 80,000 businesses have already switched. You're in good company.