Is Switching Water Supplier Worth It For SMEs?

The opening up of the English retail water market back in April 2017 has meant that businesses of all shapes and sizes, and across all industries and sectors are now able to switch water supplier, taking advantage of better tariffs, improved customer service and all sorts of other benefits.

For small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the benefits are exactly the same as they are for bigger multi-site operations and you can save yourself a pretty penny if you do decide to make the switch, potentially enjoying quite significant savings as a result.

This is because water retailers now have to make sure that they provide a very high quality service or customers will simply look elsewhere for their water supply. Over time, the market will become even more competitive, so you are sure to be able to find a supplier that really meets your particular business needs as effectively as possible.

For smaller businesses, the majority should be able to see some kind of savings on their bill, although this will largely depend on where in the country you’re based, as the amount can vary region to region. But there are other benefits to switching, including reducing the amount of water you’re wasting, finding the most efficient way to use water, bill validation and consolidation and, as previously mentioned, better customer service.

It can also be really useful if you operate in a niche industry, as you may be able to find a supplier that has extensive experience of working in your sector, so they’ll have a deeper understanding of what your business requires.

Those companies that do operate in multiple locations will also find it very useful to look into switching, as it can make it a lot easier to manage your water supply through bill consolidation. Imagine how much less paperwork you’ll have to deal with if you’ve only got one electronic water bill to deal with each time!

Before you try to find a new supplier, it might be wise to sit down and think about what sort of services you need. A water audit can prove very revealing indeed and this is often the best first step to take if you do want to switch – and this is something we can certainly help with here at SWS.

An audit involves comparing your water use, including volumes, against what you’re being charged for, with the aim being to reveal any inconsistencies that may have led you to being billed incorrectly, while also allowing us to make specific recommendations on how to reduce water usage and lower the associated charges.

It’s possible to see a 30 per cent reduction in the charges for water supply and wastewater disposal, so if you’d like to find out more, get in touch with us today.