Water Price Shock: How to Tackle Upcoming Increases
Rising Water Prices: A Crisis for Businesses
Water prices are set to surge across England, leaving businesses, schools, charities, and hospitality venues facing some of the biggest price hikes the industry has ever seen. According to Graham Mann from SwitchWaterSupplier.com, some regions will see 40% increases in measured water charges and a 53% rise in wastewater costs. These hikes will place immense pressure on non-household customers, many of whom are unaware of the full impact.
Why Are Water Prices Rising?
The increases are part of PR24, a regulatory price review process conducted by Ofwat that sets the amount water companies can charge customers. This process allows companies to raise prices to fund essential infrastructure projects.
The sector is investing £108 billion in:
- Upgrading wastewater treatment plants.
- Rolling out smart meters.
- Detecting and repairing leaks.
While these improvements are necessary, the cost is being passed directly to businesses—and for many, the sudden rise will be a financial shock.
How Can Businesses Reduce Costs?
1. Switch Your Water Supplier
If your business has never switched water suppliers, you could be overpaying by default. Businesses on non-contracted rates tend to pay higher prices. 📌 Action: Check your latest water bills and explore switching providers. Multi-site businesses can benefit significantly from consolidated billing and lower costs.
2. Audit Your Current Contract
Even if you’ve already switched, review your contract’s renewal date. 📌 Action: If your renewal is coming up in the next 6-9 months, start preparing now. Price changes in March and April mean acting early can secure better rates.
3. Implement Water Efficiency Measures
Reducing water usage and wastewater output can lower costs by 20-35%. 📌 Action: Conduct a water usage audit and explore efficiency strategies like: Upgrading to smart meters ✔ Fixing leaks and inefficiencies ✔ Investing in water recycling systems ✔
4. Recover Overcharges
Businesses are often overcharged for water, sometimes for years without noticing. 📌 Case Study: A Scottish office building was advised to switch suppliers for a £6,000 annual saving. After a thorough audit, Graham Mann’s team discovered: 💰 £26,000 in immediate savings 💰 £100,000 in overcharges recoverable
This kind of oversight isn’t rare—many businesses are unknowingly paying for services they don’t use.
5. Explore Alternative Water Sources
Some large businesses—like hotels and manufacturing plants—may have options to go off-grid with their own private water supply. 📌 Example: A Hampshire hotel faced an increase to £660,000 per year in water costs. By implementing efficiency measures and exploring private water sources, costs could drop by 90%.
Act Now Before Costs Rise Further
The April 1st price increases mean businesses need to act now. Waiting could result in being locked into higher rates, leaving companies scrambling to manage escalating costs.
🔹 Start with an audit of your water bills 🔹 Check for contract renewal opportunities 🔹 Explore efficiency measures to cut consumption 🔹 Recover overcharges where possible
Don’t wait until your next bill shocks you—take action today to protect your business from rising costs!
Need expert help? SwitchWaterSupplier.com offers bill validation, procurement services, and long-term water management solutions to help businesses stay ahead of these price hikes.
📌 Visit SwitchWaterSupplier.com to get started today!