Your questions answered:

A business water retailer will normally manage services such as billing, account queries and customer support.

Depending on the retailer, businesses may also have access to additional services such as smart metering, water efficiency audits, detailed reporting, data insights and wastewater support.

For Source for Business customers, these services can help make it easier to understand and manage water use alongside day-to-day account management.

VAT may apply to some business water and wastewater services, depending on how the services are used and the type of business receiving them.

Your SIC Code (Standard Industrial Classification Code) may be used to help determine how VAT applies to your water charges.

You can read our business water VAT FAQs for more information about when VAT may apply.

Water usage varies considerably between businesses. An office, for example, is likely to use much less water than a restaurant, hotel or manufacturing site.

The number of employees, opening hours, equipment and day-to-day operations can all affect how much water a business uses.

Monitoring your meter readings is one of the simplest ways to understand your usage. A water efficiency audit may also help identify opportunities to reduce consumption and improve efficiency.

Businesses are charged for the water and wastewater services they receive.

Most business customers are billed based on readings taken from their water meter. If your property is unmeasured, your charges may be calculated using another method, such as the property's rateable value.

Keeping your account details and meter readings up to date can help make sure your bills accurately reflect your water use.

It helps to have a recent water bill available, along with your business and site details. You'll also need your SPID (Supply Point Identifier), which identifies your water or wastewater supply.

You can usually find your SPID on your bill. 

Having this information ready can make the switching process quicker and help ensure your new account is set up correctly.

No. Switching water retailer does not interrupt the physical water supply to your premises.

Your regional wholesaler will continue to supply water through the same network. The main change is the retailer responsible for managing your account, billing and customer service.

Water wholesalers are responsible for the water and wastewater network in your area. This includes supplying water, removing and treating wastewater, and maintaining the pipes, treatment works and wider network.

Water retailers manage your account. This normally includes billing, customer service and support with your water and wastewater services.

Your retailer is usually your main point of contact, while your wholesaler looks after the physical network and services.

We understand that AI tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini and Copilot are becoming part of everyday life. You might use them to help structure an email, explain something more clearly or simply to give you more confidence in what you're sending.

However, when contacting us about your account, we'd always prefer to hear what's happened in your own words. AI can sometimes add unnecessary detail or include information that isn't relevant or correct, which can make it harder for us to quickly understand what's happened and how we can help.

Water industry information can also differ depending on whether you're a household or business customer and where in the UK your business is based, so information found online won't always apply to your account.

You don't need to speak water industry

Keep it simple and tell us what's happened and what you need help with. To help us find your account and resolve your enquiry as quickly as possible, please include your customer reference number, site address and any other account details relevant to your enquiry.

We'll ask the right questions and work through it with you.

If you'd rather talk it through, give us a call and we'll be happy to help.

If you do choose to use AI to help with your message, please check any facts, dates, account details or regulations it includes before sending it to us.

Switching your water and wastewater retail supplier is a seamless process. In five minutes and in five simple steps, we'll provide you with a competitive quote on your water and wastewater services. If you are happy with your quote, you can sign up immediately.

At Source for Business, we strive to make the switching process as simple and hassle-free as possible. Our dedicated team will handle everything on your behalf, ensuring a seamless transition to our services.

If you have never switched your business water supplier, you might be missing out on potential benefits. Even though the water market in the UK was deregulated in 2017, many business owners remain unaware of their ability to switch suppliers. Consequently, many companies continue to pay higher out-of-contract rates with their default water supplier.

By taking advantage of the competitive nature of the open water market and exploring different retail supplier choices, you can potentially unlock better pricing options, improved customer service, and tailored solutions that align with your business needs.

Don’t miss out and consider switching your business water and wastewater retail supplier today and start enjoying the benefits of potential cost savings and enhanced customer service.

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In the non-household water market, the primary aim is to provide choice to all customers, regardless of their size or business type. The eligibility criteria are designed to be inclusive, ensuring that most non-household customers can switch their water and wastewater retailer. Establishing eligibility is typically straightforward – if the premises are primarily used for non-household purposes, such as factories, schools, or offices, they are eligible.

The goal is to create a level playing field where businesses of all sizes can access the benefits of market competition. By offering choice and opening the market, customers can select the water and wastewater retailer that best suits their specific needs and requirements.
Whether your business is eligible to switch or not, your local water company will continue to provide your wholesale services.

If you are not sure if you can switch, use Open Water’s eligibility guide and checker.

The market is still monitored and regulated by officials to ensure that there are limits on the price consumers pay if they don’t switch.

In England, the Open Water programme is led by three partner organisations.

• Defra is the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
• Ofwat is responsible as the economic regulator and licensing authority for the market.
• MOSL is the Market Operator and ensures that the market remains simple and efficient.

In Scotland, the WICS – the Water Industry Commission for Scotland is responsible for regulating the market.

The open water market, or non-household retail water market, offers several benefits for businesses and organizations:

• Increased choice: with an open market, businesses have the freedom to choose their water retailer from a range of licenced providers. This increased choice allows businesses to select a retailer that best aligns with their specific needs, including pricing, customer service, and additional value-added services
  
• Competitive pricing: the introduction of competition in the water market can lead to more competitive rates and customised pricing plans, which can result in potential cost savings for businesses
  
• Enhanced customer service: competition encourages water retailers to differentiate themselves by providing excellent customer service. Retailers may offer dedicated account managers, improved response times, and tailored solutions to meet the unique requirements of businesses. This focus on customer service can lead to an overall improved experience for businesses
  
• Innovation and efficiency: the open water market (link) fosters innovation and encourages retailers to develop new products, services, and technologies to stay competitive. This drive for innovation can lead to the introduction of water-saving initiatives, leak detection technologies, and other efficiency measures that benefit businesses and contribute to sustainability goals
  
• Water management support: many water retailers offer additional services beyond billing, such as water efficiency advice, leak detection services, and water management solutions. These value-added services can help businesses optimise their water usage, identify potential savings, and implement sustainable practices
  
• Regulatory oversight: in an open water market, regulatory bodies oversee the industry to ensure fair practices, consumer protection, and market stability. This oversight provides businesses with confidence in the market, knowing that there are regulations in place to maintain standards and resolve disputes.

Overall, the open water market promotes competition, innovation, and customer-centricity, resulting in benefits such as increased choice, competitive pricing, improved customer service, and access to value-added services. Businesses can leverage these advantages to optimise their water management, reduce costs, and achieve their sustainability objectives.

If your business hasn’t switched supplier yet, you may be missing out on significant savings.

Get a quote and start your switch to Source for Business today.

When opening a business account, we need your primary SIC code to determine if VAT should be applied to your water charges. VAT is mandatory if your main industrial activity falls within Divisions 1 to 5 of the 1980 SIC code list.

During account setup, you’ll be asked to declare your SIC code, confirming that your business’s primary activity is outside Divisions 1 to 5, enabling us to apply VAT zero-rating to your water bills. If we can’t determine your business’s activity from the provided information, we may need to contact you for further details. Without a suitable SIC code declaration, we will apply VAT to your water bill.

If you believe VAT Is being incorrectly charged (or not charged) based on your business activities, please contact us for help.

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Relevant Industrial Activities are those listed under Divisions 1 to 5 of the 1980 Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) list:

Division	Title
1	Energy and water supply industries.
2	Extraction of minerals and ores other than fuels; manufacture of metal, mineral products and chemicals.
3	Metal goods, engineering and vehicle industries.
4	Other manufacturing industries.
5	Construction.

These activities, including mining, quarrying, and various manufacturing and construction industries, must pay VAT on their water supply. If your business’s primary activity is classified under Divisions 0 or 6 to 9, you do not need to pay VAT on water.

For more detailed information, including a conversion table between 1980 and 2007 SIC codes, please refer to the HMRC  VAT water and sewerage services manual. 

VAT is not charged on water supplied to domestic and non-industrial business customers, as these supplies are zero-rated. However, if your business is classified as engaging in a Relevant Industrial Activity, VAT must be added to your water bill.

Typically, the disposal and treatment of sewerage and wastewater are zero-rated for VAT. Therefore, VAT may only be applied to the water supply portion of your bill if you engage in a Relevant Industrial Activity.

VAT (Value Added Tax) is a tax applied to the sale of goods and services in the UK. The standard VAT rate is currently 20%, though some goods and services are subject to reduced or zero rates or are exempt from VAT altogether.

A Standard Industry Classification (SIC) code is used by the Office of National Statistics (ONS)to describe your company’s primary business activity. These codes help categorise businesses into specific industries for various regulatory and statistical purposes. The SIC codes are organised into Divisions, each further divided into classes and sub-classes.

For the water industry, the relevant VAT rules refer to the 1980 SIC code list. Although updated versions of the SIC list exist (from 1992, 1997, and 2007), the 1980 list remains the reference for VAT purposes. If your company files an annual return with Companies House , you’re required to report up to four SIC codes representing your business activities, with the primary code determining VAT obligations on water supplied.

If you run an unincorporated business and haven’t determined your primary SIC code before, you can use the 1980 SIC list and additional resources from the ONS to find the correct code.

Whilst we typically recommend annual checks, there are some instances we’d say to review usage more often. This is usually in agriculture or manufacturing industries, or sites that create a lot of wastewater in everyday operations.

It refers to rainwater leaving your site. If your site does not drain into the public system, you may be entitled to savings.

In most cases, businesses that conduct a wastewater audit or switch to a new retailer benefit from lower costs and reduced bills. Speak to Source for Business today to see if we can identify opportunities for you to save money.

Not always. Some only need to check billing or drainage. However, businesses that create higher levels of trade effluent often need on-site treatment or pre-treatment systems. This includes industries such as manufacturing, food and drink production, pharmaceutical sites, commercial laundries, metal finishing workshops, and industrial cleaning operations. These businesses produce more complex wastewater, so effective management is essential to protect equipment, meet regulations, and avoid downtime.

It involves treating wastewater on-site or preparing it before discharge to the public sewer. Some industries create higher levels of trade effluent such as car washes (detergents and oils), food production sites (organic waste), or manufacturing businesses (chemicals and solids) so additional treatment may be required to meet water company discharge limits.

Source for Business can review your bills, compare your usage, and confirm whether your charges are accurate.

Many companies pay for water or drainage they do not use. A review, or business water audit, helps correct errors and reduce bills.

It covers everything from reviewing wastewater bills to checking drainage, measuring flows, and supporting treatment needs.

Business water rates vary depending on your location, water company, meter readings, and how much water you use. Most suppliers charge for both water and wastewater services. You can ask for a quote or compare tariffs to find the best deal.

Source for Business can suggest additional services to reduce your monthly costs. A water audit identifies water wastage, with leak detection and meter reading checks for accurate billing. Some businesses may benefit from rainwater harvesting or greywater reuse - particularly if you're using a lot of non-potable appliances. Another sustainable solution you can consider is borehole drilling, allowing you to maintain a private business water supply.

Yes. If your business uses water from a private source, such as a well, borehole or spring, you must register it with your local council. This helps ensure the water meets health and safety standards.

You can find your business water wholesaler online here. The UK is managed by 12 suppliers, each covering a different location.

Source for Business are a dedicated water retailer, handling billing, meter reading, water efficiency advice and customer service. Whilst we don’t supply water directly, we have supported over 160,000 businesses across the UK to manage their business water.

There is often confusion around the terms water supplier, water retailer and water wholesaler. A business water retailer, such as Source for Business, provides water and wastewater services. However, they don’t supply water directly to a business. A water wholesaler owns and supplies water to businesses across the UK.

A business cannot choose a water wholesaler. This is defined by your location, with twelve wholesalers serving the UK. You can find your businesses water wholesaler here.

Businesses in the UK can choose a water retailer. Water retailers, such as Source for Business, support with the admin and management of your business water supply. These retailers allow you to achieve business objectives, with additional services such as consolidated billing and water efficiency surveys.

Source for Business work with 160,000 businesses nationwide. As well as our five star rating for business water retail, we provide various value-added services, including smart water meter installation and wastewater treatment. Switch to Source for Business online today.

The amount of water saved depends on the business type, size, and how greywater is reused. While exact figures vary, businesses that implement greywater reuse can significantly reduce their mains water consumption.

No. Kitchen sinks carry food waste and fats, which are not suitable for greywater systems.

Yes, greywater reuse system UK installations are becoming more common in both homes and businesses.

No. Simple checks and filter cleaning keep the system running well.

Yes. Greywater reuse reduces the amount of mains water you buy and the amount of wastewater you send to treatment. This can substantially reduce water bills, particularly in larger sites.

Costs depend on tank size, filters, and site layout. We provide clear quotes based on your needs.

Greywater can be used for non-potable applications. This includes flushing toilets, which typically accounts for almost 25% of all indoor water consumption. It can also be used for irrigation and landscape gardening, cooling towers and to washdown industrial or warehouse floors.

Contact Source for Business to find out how your business can reduce your water bill by reusing greywater.

Greywater is safe to use for non-potable applications. However, it must be kept separate from drinking water supplies. Source for Business can help you identify where you can, and can’t, reuse greywater for safe business operations.

A greywater reuse system collects wastewater from places like showers or baths. It then treats the water, ensuring it’s safe for non-potable use such as flushing toilets. Every greywater system has a storage tank, enabling it to store an amount of treated greywater before sending it to non-potable applications.

Greywater is essentially business wastewater that hasn’t been contaminated with food, oils or chemicals. This can come from showers, baths, and bathroom basins. It can be treated and reused for things like flushing toilets or watering plants.

A rainwater harvesting system costs between £2,000 - £5,000 depending on the solution you choose. Underground tanks may cost more than header tanks due to the installation process. A budget-friendly solution would be a water butt. However, this wouldn't store enough rainwater for commercial use.

Whilst the initial cost may be off-putting, it's worth thinking about the future savings. If your business uses non-potable water, a rainwater harvesting system will save you money in the long run.

The UK has one of the best water systems in the world, with a quality rating of 99.96% according to Discover Water. When you harvest rainwater, you don't go through the same high quality treatment processes. This means you cannot use the water as drinking water.

However, rainwater is typically softer than treated water. This means that the water quality is more suitable to your appliance, and less likely to cause limescale build up. Furthermore, you can invest in a filtered rainwater harvesting system. These systems gently clean rainwater using natural resources as they store it.

It is not illegal to harvest rainwater in the UK. Many suppliers encourage businesses to do it as it supports communities during droughts or water scarcity. As long as you are following key regulations, which our team can support you with, then you're good to go.

You can use rainwater you've collected for non-potable applications. This means that you can't use the water for drinking or personal hygiene. Non-potable applications include car washing, gardening, washing machines and flushing toilets.

Source for Business can support you with multiple variants to get your rainwater storage tanks installed. With commercial premises, we offer complete packages to identify the right solution for your business needs. Whether you need support with roof mapping and installation of storage tanks, or collecting rainwater on a large scale.

In most cases, your water company or wholesaler will support with auditing. They often encourage businesses to make use of this service to prevent water wastage.

You can commission your own survey. This is most useful if your aim is to identify opportunities to reduce costs. Our advisers can support with all business water services, including trade effluent and greywater usage.

No, it is not a legal requirement for a business to have a water audit. However, we strongly recommend conducting one. It helps identify areas where your business may be wasting water, ensures meter reads are accurate, and highlights opportunities to save money. A water audit can also support sustainability goals and demonstrate responsible water management to regulators, customers, and stakeholders.

In most cases, your water company will support with auditing. They often encourage businesses to make use of this service to prevent water wastage.

You can commission your own survey. This is most useful if your aim is to identify opportunities to reduce costs. Our agents can support with all business water services, including trade effluent and greywater usage.

There are several benefits to commissioning a business water audit:

Cost Saving

Your water audit will outline areas where you can save money. Simply by mapping efficiency, spotting where you may be wasting water, and ensuring meter reads give accurate billing information.

Forecasting

As well as reducing your monthly water bill, an accurate business water audit can help with forecasting. This enables your business to budget effectively.

Environment

By tracking water usage, a business water audit can support your environmental goals. In the long run, helping to reduce waste and improve water conservation.

Efficiency

A water audit can support with efficiency by recommending simple fixes to reduce water wastage. Other recommendations include installing a water flow data logger or rainwater harvesting system. These measures can monitor and improve efficiency in real time. This is particularly useful in industries subject to trends, such as travel and tourism.

Domestic sewage isn’t classed as trade effluent. This includes waste safely discharged from kitchen sinks, toilets and showers. The main sewage system treats all organic matter therefore we don't need to run additional biological treatments.

Water companies often classify septic effluent as domestic sewage. Therefore, you do not need to seek legal consent to discharge it. However, companies classify septic tank waste as trade effluent when you dispose of likely polluted material.

If you're unsure about your effluent, contact our experts for trade effluent advice.

An effluent treatment plant processes liquid effluent using treatment systems that rely on biological processes to break down waste.

The Environment Agency monitor the process to ensure it meets safety and environmental standards. This helps protect local waterways and the wider environment.

In most instances, wholesalers measure trade effluent volume with a meter.

By installing meters on discharge pipes, they're able to measure the volume of liquid leaving the premises directly. They monitor this as it enters the sewage treatment plant.

If your business doesn't have a meter on the discharge pipe, you could also be sub-metered on water input. Wholesalers asses the volume entering the commercial property and assume the volume of liquid effluent discharged.

Finally, a calculation discharge method may identify your trade effluent volume. For example, wholesalers or water companies often calculate landfill sites based on the size of the area and the monthly rainfall. You will always agree on this before the tariff begins.

Water companies define your trade effluent regulations on a case-by-case basis.

Often, depending on the size and scale of your business, the industry you're in and the amount of trade in your area. Some of the factors they may consider are:

• Temperature: High temperatures create an unsafe working environment so you must remain within the limit (43.3°C).
• Ammonia: As well as being highly toxic to animals, ammonia can cause toxicity issues.
• Volume/flow rate: The amount of trade effluent you dispose of daily will depend on the limit outlined in your consent.
• Chemical Oxygen Demand Limit: This measurement shows how much chemical is in your effluent. Authorities set limits to prevent wastewater facilities from being overwhelmed.
• Suspended solids: Solid particles like silt or sediment in your liquid effluent can damage pipes.
• Oil and Grease: Fats, oils and grease (FOG) can damage public water ways when they solidify, causing blockages.
• pH: Sewage treatment facilities control the pH balance to protect staff, ensure effective treatment and protect infrastructure.

Water companies only class septic tank waste as trade effluent when it includes discharge from industrial processes.

When we discuss trade effluent, we are referring to polluted liquid waste and not solid waste.

This is not surface water or domestic sewage. Oils, grease, chemicals, food waste, soil, detergents, and other substances can contaminate trade effluent.

If your business is discharging this type of waste into the sewage system, you have a legal obligation to declare it. Sewer effluent requires a more severe treatment process, which is why businesses must secure legal consent. The aim is to prevent this waste entering our rivers, lakes and oceans and causing severe water pollution issues.

To prevent FOG from entering sewers and forming fatbergs, businesses can follow these simple steps:

• Place cooled FOG in a container and dispose of it through registered waste collection services instead of pouring it down the sink while washing up. For those interested in selling FOG, reach out to your wholesaler for more information
  
• Prior to washing, use a paper towel or cloth to remove excess fats and discard them in the bin
  
• Use sink strainers to capture food scraps, preventing them from contributing to blockages
  
• Consider installing equipment like grease traps inside or outside the property to collect FOG before it reaches the sewer. These devices are effective in managing FOG and reducing the risk of blockages.

FOG (fats, oils, and greases) found in the wastewater of commercial kitchens can cause sewer problems, if not disposed of properly. Businesses like restaurants, caterers, and takeaways are legally obligated to handle their FOG appropriately to prevent the formation of fatbergs – large clumps of solidified fat that can clog sewers.

Considering FOG disposal is important because it not only prevents damage to sewer networks, but also benefits your business. Mishandling FOG can lead to flooding, road closures, supply disruptions, and potential business closures during the clearing process, which can take weeks. Wholesalers spend millions of pounds annually on clearing blockages alone.

Moreover, fatbergs can cause toxic waste overflow into the environment, hampering sustainability efforts. By disposing of fats, oils, and greases correctly, businesses contribute to a cleaner environment and a more sustainable approach.

The cost of trade effluent varies depending on various factors, including the volume and composition of the effluent, the region in which your business operates, and the specific tariff structure set by the water and wastewater retail provider.

Trade effluent is regulated by several entities, each with specific roles and responsibilities. The key regulatory bodies involved in overseeing trade effluent regulations in the UK are:

• Environment Agency (EA): the EA is responsible for enforcing environmental regulations and managing the impact of trade effluent on the environment. They issue permits and consents, conduct inspections, and monitor compliance with trade effluent regulations.
• Water and Sewerage Companies (WaSCS): the water and sewerage companies, also known as water suppliers or wholesalers, play a role in regulating trade effluent within their respective areas of operation. They manage trade effluent consent applications, determine charges, and provide guidance to businesses on compliance.
• Ofwat: Ofwat is the economic regulator of the water and wastewater industry in England and Wales. They oversee the pricing, performance, and service standards of water and sewerage companies, ensuring that trade effluent regulation is appropriately implemented.
• Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA): In Scotland, SEPA takes on a similar role to the EA. They are responsible for regulating and monitoring trade effluent to protect the environment and public health in Scotland.

These regulatory bodies work together to ensure that businesses comply with trade effluent regulations, obtain necessary consents, and operate in an environmentally responsible manner. They provide guidance, enforce compliance, and handle any complaints or issues related to trade effluent management.

Trade effluent needs to be regulated for several important reasons. Firstly, many commercial and industrial processes involve the use of chemicals that can be hazardous, corrosive, or otherwise harmful to the environment and public health. Without proper regulation, the discharge of trade effluent could result in contamination of water bodies, soil, and ecosystems. Regulating trade effluent helps to ensure that potentially harmful substances are controlled and treated appropriately before being released into the environment.

Secondly, the sewerage system and wastewater treatment facilities are designed to handle specific types and volumes of wastewater. Trade effluent with high levels of certain substances, such as fats, oils, or chemicals, can overload the treatment processes and infrastructure, leading to inefficiencies, malfunctions, and increased costs. By regulating trade effluent, standards and limits on the composition and volume of effluent can be set to protect the integrity and functionality of the sewerage system.

Additionally, regulating trade effluent enables authorities to monitor and enforce compliance with environmental standards and regulations. This helps to prevent illegal or unauthorised discharges that could harm the environment or undermine the proper functioning of the wastewater treatment system.

Trade effluent regulation promotes sustainability and responsible resource management. By regulating the disposal and treatment of trade effluent, it encourages businesses to adopt more efficient and sustainable practices. This can include implementing water conservation measures, optimising processes to minimise effluent generation, and exploring opportunities for recycling or reusing wastewater.

Businesses are required to obtain trade effluent consent if they discharge trade effluent into public sewers or if they dispose of contaminated liquid waste (non-domestic) into sinks or toilets. Surface water run-off from contaminated surfaces being discharged into public sewers also requires trade effluent consent.

It is important to note that even if your trade effluent discharge is expected to be temporary, such as during construction works, you are still required to arrange for trade effluent consent.

If there are any changes to your trade effluent, such as changes in volume or composition, it is crucial to inform your water supplier promptly. This ensures that a new consent framework can be established, preventing any potential penalties or fines.