Compare business water suppliers

In England, yes, in most cases. Ofwat says businesses, charities and public sector organisations in England can choose the retailer for their water and sewerage services, as long as the premises are used mainly for non-domestic purposes and you pay the water bill yourself. You choose the retailer, which handles billing and service. The regional water company that supplies the water stays the same.

Only very large users. If your water comes from a company whose area is wholly or mainly in Wales, you can switch only if the site uses at least 50 million litres of water a year. The test follows the water company’s area, not the national border: CCW notes that businesses in Powys and Monmouthshire cannot switch, while businesses in Chester can.

Yes. Scotland has had retail competition for business water since 1 April 2008. Business customers choose a licensed provider, which bills them for water, waste water and drainage, while Scottish Water runs the network as the wholesaler. The Scottish market is separate from the English one and is regulated by the Water Industry Commission for Scotland, not Ofwat.

SPID stands for Supply Point ID. It is the reference number that identifies a business water or wastewater supply point in the market, in the way an MPAN identifies an electricity supply. A site often has one SPID for water and a separate one for wastewater. It is normally printed on your bill, and your retailer can tell you what it is.

There is no single fixed timescale we can point to, so ask the retailer for a transfer date before you agree. Your new retailer handles the transfer once a contract is in place. Micro businesses have a seven-day cooling-off period before the switch goes ahead, and a switch can be held up if you owe your current retailer money.

No. A switch changes who bills you and looks after your account. The water still comes from the same wholesaler through the same pipes, and Ofwat confirms you get the same water quality. The switch is a transfer of your account between retailers, and the wholesaler for your area carries on owning and running the network.

Only for micro businesses. Under Ofwat’s Customer Protection Code of Practice, a business with fewer than 10 employees has a seven-day cooling-off period before its switch goes ahead, and cancelling in that time is free in most cases. Larger businesses have no cooling-off right under the code, so check the term, price and exit fees before you agree.

It might, but nobody can promise it. Ofwat lists lower prices as one possible benefit of choosing a retailer, alongside better service, tailored billing and advice on using less water. Every retailer buys from the same wholesaler for your area, so retailers compete on their own costs and service. Compare any quote against your current bill, including standing charges.

Generally two years. Ofwat says retailers cannot normally bill a customer for water supplied or sewerage services delivered more than two years ago, except where a refund is due to you. Retailers must also send at least one accurate bill a year, and must offer a micro business a reasonable repayment plan for a back bill.

Complain to the retailer first, using its complaints process. If it does not resolve the problem, you can go to the Consumer Council for Water (CCW), which gives free, impartial help to business customers. CCW also publishes complaint figures for each retailer every year, which are worth reading before you choose one.