Any business owner knows the
struggles of shopping around for different gas or electricity deals and
packages. However, did you know the same goes for business water? Since 2017 English laws have allowed the switching of business water suppliers, which means you can choose whom you want based on your business needs.
Although it is possible, it is
more challenging to choose. It's best to stick to reputable companies that tick
a lot of criteria you should be looking for, like Castle Water. This article will guide you through the fundamentals and everything you need to know to choose a business water supplier in England.
Understanding Business Water
To make an informed decision on
behalf of your business, you first need to understand how it works. Similarly
to electricity and gas, wholesalers maintain the network and provide water and
wastewater to retail suppliers. It is their job to package it up and sell it to
customers.
Looking To Switch?
Many businesses think switching
to a different water supplier is a nightmare, but this is not the case. It's
very easy so long as you meet the location requirements. Switching is the best
option if you aren't getting the best value for your money.
When looking to switch, you will
want to consider the following details:
- Are the rates better?
- How good is the customer service?
- Can the supplier tailor the package to suit your needs?
- Does it provide services across multiple premises? Is this something you require?
Once you are satisfied, the
process is straightforward:
- Let the new supplier know what you need
- Allow them to figure out the best deal
- Agree to the switch
- The rest is done for you
How are the Rates Worked Out?
Most businesses get charged based
on their meter reading that reflects their usage. If you don't have a meter,
your business will be charged based on a flat rate provided by the supplier
based on the property's value.
You will be charged a fixed rate
in both cases, depending on your meter reading. Again, it will be a fixed rate
if you don't have one. There will also be charges for removing wastewater from
things like drainage, foul sewage, trade effluent and more.
Effluent is a liquid that has been contaminated with things like fats, oils and grease. The strength of this substance determines how high of a cost you will get hit with. You will also be billed separately for wastewater removal.
Lastly, you may need to look out
for fees on disconnection and reconnection, meter installation, repairs, and
replacements.
How can you be more water efficient?
Once you have settled on a new
business water supplier, the work continues beyond there. It's down to you and
your staff to ensure water usage is kept to a low and your monthly spending is.
As with most utilities in
business, there are plenty of ways of becoming more efficient. Cutting on water
usage often becomes overlooked, and many business owners realise how much there
is to be saved.
Briefing all your staff is a
great way to start. Getting everyone on the same page means that whatever
practice you put into fruition will be coherent throughout the business.
It is best to encourage small
water habits like reusable water bottles and brief staff on efficient ways of
using appliances like dishwashers, showers, laundry, and whatever you might
have on the premises. And the most obvious of all is reducing the running time
of taps, too many people take this for granted and the amount of water wasted
is terrible.
Introducing water-saving devices
will also greatly help the amount of water you save. Using a spray or automatic
taps saves up to 70% of water compared to the standard manual taps as it helps
to stop the problem of drips. Dual flush toilets are also a simple yet very
effective change, allowing users to choose the water used on a flush.
If you want to go the extra mile
to ensure you are making the most out of your money, you can hire a specialist
to come through and create a comprehensive audit which will break down all the usage and costs throughout your premises.
Conclusion
Since England's water market was
deregulated, it has been open to competition. This allows you to see who
strives and who doesn't. Informing yourself about everything you should be
looking out for is a great way to spot fantastic water suppliers.
Ensuring you stay up to date on
all the latest water-saving techniques is equally as important. Your business
water bill will only change drastically per supplier if you work on reducing
usage.
