Water Procurement & Management

Independent water advice, beyond the contract.

We help UK businesses secure the right retailer arrangement — and keep managing the account long after switching, from billing reviews to recovery claims.

Most of your bill isn't actually negotiable

Understanding what's on a commercial water bill.

Unlike electricity and gas, much of a commercial water charge is regulated — wholesale water and wastewater charges are set annually across the industry. The real opportunities are often in the account, not the rate.

Water consumption chargesUsage
Wastewater (sewerage) chargesUsage
Fixed water chargesFixed
Fixed wastewater chargesFixed
Surface water drainage chargesReview
Highway drainage chargesReview
Trade effluent charges (where applicable)Specialist
Metering & administration chargesFixed
A typical commercial water bill, broken down. Lines marked “Review” or “Specialist” are where billing validation tends to uncover the most.

Where savings actually hide

Because wholesale charges are regulated, the greatest opportunities for savings and cost recovery are usually found through account reviews, billing validation, and charge verification — not just retailer switching.

From review to ongoing management

Our water procurement process.

Switching retailer doesn't touch your physical supply — the infrastructure stays exactly the same. What changes is who manages your account, and how well.

01

Account & Bill Review

We review your existing arrangements, billing history, site information, and account structure — surfacing billing discrepancies, incorrect charging structures, drainage opportunities, vacancy claims, and account administration issues.

02

Market Tendering

Where appropriate, we obtain quotations from licensed water retailers and present options on a clear like-for-like basis, aligned to your operational requirements and portfolio structure.

03

Switching Management

Your physical supply is unaffected by a retailer switch. We manage the entire switching process start to finish, with minimal administration on your end.

04

Ongoing Account Management

Support continues beyond placement — billing queries, meter issues, account administration, supplier communication, portfolio management, and renewals.

Most businesses assume their bill is correct

Water bill validation & cost recovery.

In reality, water accounts can contain errors, outdated information, or charges that no longer reflect how a site actually operates. We review the detail most retailers won't flag for you.

Historical Billing Records

Checked for inconsistencies across past invoices.

Surface Drainage Charges

Verified against the actual characteristics of the site.

Vacant Property Accounts

Checked for unnecessary charges on unoccupied sites.

Metering & Classifications

Reviewed against wastewater charging calculations.

Beyond standard procurement

Specialist support for complex accounts.

Some water accounts need more than a tender. Here's where we go further.

Surface Water Drainage Reviews

Surface water drainage charges can be a significant cost for some commercial properties. We help assess whether your current charging structure accurately reflects your site.

ReductionsAmendmentsReassessments

Vacancy & Unoccupied Property Support

Vacant properties create unnecessary utility costs if accounts aren't managed correctly. We assist landlords and portfolio owners with vacant property reviews, account transfers, and occupancy investigations.

Vacant reviewsAccount transfersOccupancy checks

Wastewater & Trade Effluent Support

Businesses discharging wastewater or trade effluent face additional regulatory considerations. We assist with account reviews, retailer discussions, and discharge charge assessments.

Effluent reviewsDischarge assessments

Multi-Site Water Management

Centralised support for property portfolios, hospitality groups, retail chains, care home operators, and industrial businesses — portfolio reporting, contract tracking, and renewal planning included.

Portfolio reportingContract trackingRenewal planning

Why choose Energyex for water

Independent advice that doesn't stop at the switch.

We work on behalf of our clients, not water retailers — with support that continues throughout the life of the account.

Independent Advice

We work on behalf of our clients, not water retailers.

Bill Validation Support

Identifying potential billing issues, discrepancies, and recovery opportunities.

Multi-Site Specialists

Managing water accounts across portfolios of all sizes, with one dedicated point of contact.

Whether you're approaching renewal, reviewing your retailer, or investigating a billing concern,

our team provides the independent expertise needed to manage your water account properly — from first review through every renewal after it.

Water Procurement FAQs

Common questions about business water procurement.

Yes. The business water market in England was deregulated in April 2017, allowing non-household customers to choose their licensed water retailer. The physical infrastructure — pipes, supply, and wastewater — remains unchanged. Only the retailer managing your account changes, in a process broadly similar to switching an energy supplier.

The standard switching process typically takes around 28 days from accepted quotation. We manage the process from application to confirmation, with minimal administration required on your side.

No. A retailer switch does not affect your physical supply at any point. The water network and infrastructure are operated by the regional wholesaler regardless of which retailer holds your account.

Surface water drainage charges cover the removal of rainwater runoff from your site. They are typically calculated based on site area and drainage characteristics. Where a site has significant hard-standing or drainage infrastructure that does not actually drain to the public sewer, these charges can sometimes be reassessed and reduced. We assess this as part of our account review.

Yes. We provide centralised account management for commercial landlords, property portfolios, hospitality groups, care home operators, and multi-site industrial businesses. This includes billing oversight, renewal tracking, vacancy management, and a single point of contact for the full portfolio.

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