The short answer
Business water is split between a retailer, which handles billing, meter reading and customer service, and a regional wholesaler, which runs the pipes and supply. Most non-household premises in England have been able to choose their retailer since 1 April 2017; Scotland has had its own business market since 2008; in Wales only customers using at least 50 megalitres a year can switch. Switching retailer does not change your physical water supply.
Who does what: retailers and wholesalers
| Retailer | Wholesaler | |
|---|---|---|
| Responsible for | Billing, meter reading and customer service | Pipes, treatment, supply and the wastewater network |
| Can you choose? | Yes, if eligible | No — determined by your location |
| Changes if you switch? | Yes | No |
Who can switch business water retailer?
Eligibility depends on where your premises are.
- England: most non-household premises — such as businesses, charities and public-sector organisations — have been able to choose their retailer since 1 April 2017, with no minimum usage.
- Scotland: non-household customers have been able to choose their retailer since 2008, in a market regulated by the Water Industry Commission for Scotland.
- Wales: only non-household customers using at least 50 megalitres (50 million litres) a year are eligible to switch.
What to check on your business water bill
Check that the readings are actual rather than estimated, and that the charges match your premises.
- Whether readings are actual or estimated — repeated estimates can lead to inaccurate bills.
- Your supply point ID (SPID), which identifies your supply for switching.
- The charges applied, which can include water supply, wastewater (sewerage) and surface water or highway drainage.
- That the number of meters and supply points matches your premises.
How to compare water retailers
- Confirm your premises are eligible to switch.
- Gather a recent bill with your SPID and meter details.
- Compare retailers on charges, billing options, meter reading and customer service.
- Check the retailer's terms, including any contract length and exit terms.
- If you go ahead, the new retailer manages the switch; your water supply continues as normal.
Wholesale charges are set regionally, so the difference in price between retailers can be limited. Service and billing accuracy are often just as important as price.
How Meridian can help
Meridian Merchant & Energy Solutions Ltd helps UK businesses explore business water retailer options from the third-party providers we work with, explains the options and costs in plain English, and tells you who you would be contracting with before you decide.
Meridian acts as an introducer, broker or reseller depending on the service. The provider supplies the service under its own terms and carries out its own eligibility checks. We may receive commission from providers — you can ask us about it at any time, and it is disclosed where the rules require. Submitting an enquiry is free and does not commit you to anything.
Related solutions
Frequently asked questions
Will my water supply be interrupted if I switch retailer?
No. Your physical supply, pipes and water quality remain the responsibility of the regional wholesaler. Only your billing and customer service provider changes.
Who regulates business water?
Ofwat regulates the water sector in England and Wales. In Scotland, the business water market is regulated by the Water Industry Commission for Scotland.
What is a SPID?
A supply point ID (SPID) identifies a water or wastewater supply point in the business retail market. It is used when switching retailer.
Sources and further reading
This guide is general information for UK businesses, not financial, legal or tax advice. Rules and prices change — check the sources above and your provider’s terms before making decisions.