Will water bills be going up soon?
WEDNESDAY 22nd MAY 2024
Higher costs are something every business fears, and hefty water bills can make the future feel uncertain
Running a business is not a simple task, but the art of maintaining a successful organisation can be boiled down to one vital factor: bringing more money in than you’re putting out.
No business owner likes paying business expenses, but whether it’s insurance, wages, or utility bills, there are spends you simply can’t avoid.
One such spend is the water bill. Every business needs water to some degree, but how much you spend on water can vary wildly depending on your area, requirements, and the current economic climate.
So we’re here to answer the question that plagues many business owners: will water bills be going up soon?
The current water climate
The cost of living crisis impacts households and businesses alike, and the issue is far from resolved. Despite some costs settling, most utility payments are still on the rise, and water is no exception. In fact, according to This is Money, water bills are set to soar by up to 44% by 2030, with some regions paying even more.
With the start of the current financial year, the average water and sewage bill in England and Wales rose by 6 per cent to £473 a year. These numbers vary depending on your supplier and area, with Wessex Water and Anglian Water being among the priciest, at £548 and £529 respectively. Northumbrian customers enjoy the lowest average bills, at £422.
For businesses, the numbers are even higher. Ofwat reports that small businesses can pay up to £1,165.43 annually on their water supplier, while medium and large businesses can spend as much as £7,950.80.
What is being done?
This isn’t the good news many business owners were hoping for, but action is being taken to try and protect households and businesses, and improve the quality of the UK’s water supply overall.
Water UK reports that the increased payments will be used to improve water and sewage systems in the UK, and bills will automatically be reduced by the regulator if these promises are not delivered.
David Henderson, chief executive at Water UK, says:
“[This year] will see record levels of investment from water companies to secure the security of our water supply in the future and significantly reduce the amount of sewage in rivers and seas.”
Reducing your commercial water costs
As we mentioned earlier, your chosen water supply can make a big impact on how much you spend. Since the deregulation of water supply in 2017, England businesses are now free to shop around for the right supplier to suit their needs, so it’s vital your organisation takes advantage of this freedom.
Understand how much water your business uses, and what can be done to make your habits more sustainable. Even simple changes, such as checking for leakages, can make a big difference. Investing in water tech to measure your output and harvest rainwater can also have long term benefits.
Make note of your business priorities when it comes to water. It is all about lower costs, or is sustainability, reliability, customer service, or efficiency important to you too. Finding the supplier that offers the best balance of these factors can save you significant costs in the long run, while also improving the sustainability of your organisation.
Get in touch with Everflow today
Finding the right water for business isn’t easy. If you’re looking for a sustainable water supply for your business, get in touch with Everflow today to find out how we can support your organisation.