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water is open for business

Welcome to the open water business retail market: for businesses, charities and public sector organisations in England and Wales to choose their water retailer

Most businesses, charities and public sector organisations businesses in England can choose which company they want to supply their retail water services. In Wales, you can choose your water retailer if you use more than 50 million litres of water a year.  You could spend less, save water and get better services

the Open Water market and the benefits to your business or organisation

You could spend less, save water and get better services

The benefits of being able to choose your water retailer for your business or organisation include:

  • better value for your money
  • lowering your bills and charges
  • improving the customer service you get
  • tailored services for your company – such as consolidated billing
  • help to become a more water efficient business

The open water business retail market also offers other opportunities for your business or organisation. For example, larger organisations with multiple sites or those using a large amount of water may decide to self-supply, which means they supply their own retail services.

If your business is building a large new site or is a large user of water, you can also explore choosing a water and/or wastewater company to meet your complete water and wastewater needs. Visit Ofwat’s website to find out more about choosing a new appointee

The market also allows companies to become licensed suppliers of water and wastewater retail services to other businesses. You can find out more and apply to be a retailer on Ofwat’s website

how the open water market works

The open water business retail market works like many other open utility markets, such as telecoms, electricity and gas

Licensed retailers buy wholesale water services – the physical supply of water and the removal of wastewater – from the regional water companies, who continue to supply your water, treat your wastewater and maintain the water and wastewater pipe networks

The retailers package these water services with other services and compete for customers

Businesses, charities and public sector organisations are free to choose their retailer by looking at who has the best deal for them

process

Shopping around for your business or organisation

Shop around for your business or organisation to get the best deal

You can choose to:
• remain with your current water retailer
• switch to a new water retailer
• self-supply, meaning you become your own water retailer

If you haven’t switched or changed deal since April 2017, you also have price protection if you want to stay put

You can talk to licensed water retailers to see which will offer your business or organisation the best deal when it comes to:

  • your bills and payments
  • reading your meter
  • customer service and water saving advice

If you’re unsure who your current water retailer is, our guide to retailers and wholesalers in the business retail water market might help.

Open Water and the environment

The open water business retail market has brought benefits for businesses, charities and public sector organisations

It can also benefit the environment through:

  • more efficient use of water
  • reduced carbon emissions from cuts in water use
  • more innovation and better use of technology

 

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