Choose a business water retailer
In England and Scotland, business water supply is a competitive retail market — you choose which licensed retailer bills you and handles customer service, separately from the wholesaler who actually owns the pipes.
In England and Scotland, business water supply is a competitive retail market — you choose which licensed retailer bills you and handles customer service, separately from the wholesaler who actually owns the pipes.
If you do not actively choose a retailer, you get defaulted to whichever retailer covers your address (often the regional incumbent) on their standard tariff, which is very often not the cheapest. Comparing and switching before you open can save a meaningful amount on an ongoing running cost.
England
Before you open, or as soon as you take on the premises. You can switch at any time, but it is easiest to pick your retailer from day one.
No fee to switch; ongoing charges vary by retailer and usage — get quotes
Open Water is the market body for the England/Wales business water market — use it to find and compare licensed retailers.
Scotland
Before you open, or as soon as you take on the premises. You can switch at any time, but it is easiest to pick your retailer from day one.
No fee to switch; ongoing charges vary by retailer and usage — get quotes
Business Stream is the default/incumbent retailer for most Scottish premises; check the Water Industry Commission for Scotland's market pages for other licensed retailers before deciding whether to switch.
Who this is for
Every venue — all commercial premises need a business water retailer, distinct from domestic water supply.
What you’ll hold
- Retailer contract/welcome pack confirming your account and billing details
Watch out for
- Doing nothing and assuming you'll sort it later — you get auto-defaulted to a retailer and tariff, which is rarely the best deal, and switching later just means paying the higher rate in the meantime.
- Comparing headline unit rates only. Standing charges, meter reading fees and trade effluent billing all vary between retailers and matter for a kitchen's actual bill.
- Not telling the new retailer about your trade effluent consent or grease trap — this affects your wastewater charges, not just your clean water bill.
Sources
- Open Water — business water and wastewater retail market checked 2026-09-02
- Business Stream — Scotland business water retailer checked 2026-09-02
See also
This is item 66 of 66 in the free UK Launch Checklist. See the whole list →