Business water
Why is my water
bill so high?
What's driving it — and fixes
Bill review · no obligation- Business water bills rose in 2026 as wholesale charges increased under Ofwat's PR24 controls — and wholesale is most of the bill.
- Common avoidable costs: surface-water drainage you don't owe, estimated reads, the wrong meter size, and default tariffs.
- Checking your bill often saves more than switching, because wholesale charges are the same whoever your retailer is.
- You pay for water twice — supply in and wastewater out — so cutting usage helps too.
A high water bill is frustrating, especially when you're not sure why. Usually it's a mix of market factors you can't change and charges you can — and knowing the difference is where the savings are.
The part you can't change: wholesale charges
Most of your bill is wholesale charges — the cost of the water and wastewater themselves — and these rose in 2026 under the regulator's PR24 price controls. Crucially, wholesale charges are the same whichever retailer you use, so switching alone won't dodge them.
The parts you can fix
- Surface-water drainage you don't owe — if your site doesn't drain to the public sewer, you may reclaim it (sometimes backdated). See drainage rebates.
- Estimated reads — long-running estimates can overstate your usage. Submit an actual reading.
- Wrong meter size or tariff — a meter larger than you need carries higher standing charges.
- A default tariff — default retail rates are usually the most expensive; a negotiated contract is cheaper.
Check before you switch
Because wholesale is fixed, correcting a billing error often saves more than switching retailer. It's worth reviewing your bill line by line first — our guide on reading your water bill shows you how.
And use a little less
Since you pay for water both coming in and going out, cutting usage saves twice. Simple efficiency measures — fixing leaks, efficient fittings — chip away at the bill too.
Bill looks high and you're not sure why? Send us a recent copy and we'll break it down and flag anything reclaimable — free, no obligation. Call 0845 862 1947 or get in touch.
A high water bill isn't always just 'the price of water'. Separate what's market-driven from what's an error, fix what you can, trim your usage, and you'll know you're paying a fair amount.