What will happen to water wholesale prices in 2026 and how can you keep your costs down?
30th January 2026
As we look ahead at what’s to come in 2026, it’s clear that businesses are in for some choppy waters.
The UK water market is bracing for another round of price increases this year, meaning potentially higher commercial water bills for your organisation if you don’t act swiftly.
Average wholesale price rises across the 2025/26 period are estimated to be more than a fifth (21%), resulting in higher charges for water customers both domestic and commercial. This is part of a broader trend, as wholesale water prices have surged by a significant 42% over the past five years, increasing the pressure faced by businesses to manage their utilities spending.
Looking ahead to 2026/27, things are going to continue in much the same way, with increases for the coming year predicted to push costs even higher. These sustained increases are largely the result of regulatory changes, infrastructure investment requirements and the continuing impact of inflation across the sector.
This all sounds pretty doom and gloom, so what can you do about it?
It’s time to switch your water supplier
Constant price rises can leave organisations feeling powerless, but shopping around for the most suitable business water prices for your needs can help you take back control. The benefits of switching include cost savings, better customer service, flexible contracts and environmental initiatives, and yet as it stands, a huge 80% of UK businesses have never switched their water supplier. This means that the vast majority of companies out there are missing out on an opportunity to significantly cut their business water contract.
If you’re one of them, here’s how to explore alternative providers and start saving on your annual water spend.
Understand your current contract
Begin the process by reviewing your existing water contract and what you’re getting out of it. This will give you a clear baseline to improve upon when comparing offers from other potential suppliers. You should also use this opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of your current business water consumption, as this will give you a clearer image of what you need out of your new provider.
Research different suppliers
The UK’s open water market puts the power back in customers’ hands. Take advantage of this by comparing the cost of your existing provider against a retailer like us – taking account of contract terms, standing charges, additional services and, of course, customer service.
Request quotes
Obtaining a quote is easy with Everflow. In most instances it takes just minutes to obtain. We’ll tell you exactly how much you’d be expected to pay and exactly how much you’d be getting for that price. We also pride ourselves on transparency – avoiding those pesky hidden charges or fees in favour of clear, easy-to-understand terms and conditions.
Agree terms with your new supplier
Once you’ve found yourself an offer that suits your business, you can agree the contract and officially start the switching process. The actual handling of the transfer is down to your new supplier. So, at Everflow we’ll take care of notifying your previous water supplier. This means that, once you’ve chosen a contract, most of the hard work will be done for you.
Monitor your spending in the long run
However, your role as customer isn’t over yet. After switching, be sure to keep track of your water bills and service quality to make sure that your contract is delivering on the benefits and price that you agreed. This will give you a clear picture of how much you’re saving thanks to your switch.
That’s simple with Everflow thanks to our helpful portal and intuitive dashboard, which is available to all our customers.
Looking for the right business water prices for your business? We’re here to help.
Contact Everflow today!
At Everflow, our goal is to make your utilities simpler. We ensure you get great-value contracts that are tailored to your needs and easy to manage.
