Would you like to change water providers? Are you a non-residential property or a business? Continue reading to see if you may switch water providers and what else you would need to know.
Can I Change My Water Provider in the UK?
Only non-residential clients are currently able to change their water provider. Domestic consumers are unable to switch water providers; therefore, your location in the UK determines who your water provider is.
The UK government declared in 2002 that it will not pass legislation allowing residential consumers to change their water provider. However, the Conservative administration ordered Ofwat. The organization that oversees the water business, to examine the viability of expanding. The water market to more open competition in 2015.
Residential consumers being permitted to transfer water suppliers would bring in a net benefit, according to Ofwat’s assessment from 2016. The survey also revealed that 56% of respondents thought having the option to change water providers would be beneficial.
Are There Markets For Water Suppliers?
Only non-residential water consumers in the UK are currently able to switch water providers. In order to help companies, nonprofits, as well as other public organizations discover the lowest prices for their water and sewage services, the water market was established in April 2017.
Wholesalers and retailers compete in the new water market. One of several major glasses of water and sewerage firms with a regional monopoly in a certain area of the UK is a water wholesaler.
These wholesalers provide water merchants, who may bundle fresh offers and engage in rivalry in a controlled market.
Businesses have the freedom to select the water service provider of their choice, irrespective of if they are located in the same area or not, unlike domestic consumers and wholesaler water firms. Most merchants are commercial divisions of the big water corporations.
Why Change Your Water Supplier?
Since water and sewage services are all that are involved, it can seem strange that you can switch water suppliers. A competitive water market is beneficial for consumers for a variety of reasons, though. A new water provider could provide the following services:
· better offers that save money
· improved client services
· service tailored specifically to your company’s requirements
When looking for a new water source, keep the following things in mind. What Leads Someone to Switch Water Providers? Here are some of the primary factors that prompt business owners to choose a new water provider:
The price
The main motivation for change shouldn’t come as a surprise. Companies are constantly looking for ways to save costs, and it is always possible that a water supplier may provide services at a lower cost than what a company is now using.
Getting estimates from different vendors will reveal this. A company owner is inclined to make the switch or use this information to bargain with their present provider if they start realizing their water-related demands may be met at a significantly lower cost.
Customer care
Working with any kind of provider requires excellent customer service. A company may decide to start looking for an alternative water provider who places a higher value on customer service if they believe that their current supplier is not providing effective communication or carrying out their duties as expected.
The best options
A company may occasionally outgrow its present water management methods. If they need innovative solutions which their present supplier does not give, they will be forced to look elsewhere for one that does.
How to switch water supplier?
Are you wondering how to switch water supplier? You may start looking around for a better bargain on your water and sewerage services once you’ve established your eligibility. The procedure is fairly similar to altering gas or electricity rates, and once completed, everything will go off without a hitch.
For your convenience, we have boiled down the process of switching water suppliers into four simple phases so that you will know precisely what to anticipate when you begin shopping for a better water offer.
1. Estimate Your Water Consumption
Finding out how much water you now use is the first step. You may determine this by looking at your most recent water bill and calculating the monthly cost of your water services.
Make a list of some of the details on the water bill since you’ll need them later when you transfer water providers:
· Your yearly water usage
· How much do you presently have to pay for your water bill
· The costs on your water bill in detail
· Your Service Supply Identification Numbers (SPIDs)
· A recent measurement from the water meter
2. Look up your current tariff
Determine precisely what tariff you are currently on after gathering the data from Step 1 in Step 2. This might be challenging because not all of your water is given under one tariff type. Fortunately, it’s simple to find out all you need to know.
May verify the necessary details by looking at your water bill. You may view your wastewater services prices and the cost per cubic meter of water that you pay.
You will have the option of switching either your clean water or your wastewater or just one of them. A dual energy tariff and this are comparable.
3. Choose a new vendor
Get in touch with your current water supply and see if they can offer you a better bargain before searching around for one with a separate water provider. If you are on a deemed or default tariff, the water provider must inform you of any cheaper offers there may be available.
You may get a fair notion of what is offer on the water market after speaking with your present water provider. You can use your existing tariff as a standard to assess different water tariffs that are being offer.
Because this is a comparatively new industry, it is a best practice to take the time to review comparison websites, visit provider websites, and get in touch with utility brokers and business assistance services before choosing a new water supplier.
Before beginning to conduct business, every water and sewerage firm needs to get an Ofwat license.
4. Accept A Deal
After deciding on a contract you’re please with and making the decision to transfer water suppliers, you can now make the transition.
· Your brand-new vendor will get in touch with you to:
· Verify your eligibility
· Provide you with all details on the tariff and the Ts&Cs
· Address any queries you may have regarding your new tariff.
· You can declare that you want to transfer water suppliers after you are please that the new provider is providing a better price.
You will have a 7-day window of time following the confirmation to decide whether or not you wish to cancel the transition. Throughout these 7 days, you are not require to offer a reason for canceling. Verify that the cooling-off period is more than 7 days in your agreement with the new supplier.
Your former provider will send you one final bill after the transfer is complete, and the new supplier will start sending you invoices.
