Pub Water Rates: How Pubs in England Can Lower Their Water Bills
Pubs in England can choose who supplies their water and sewerage services, but most have never switched. Many are also paying for charges they could reduce, such as surface water drainage. This guide explains how pub water bills work and how to lower them.
Can a pub switch water supplier?
Yes. Since April 2017, businesses in England have been able to choose their water retailer. The retailer handles your billing, meter readings and customer service. Your local water company still owns the pipes and supplies the water, so nothing changes physically and there's no interruption to your supply.
In Wales, only very large water users can switch, so most Welsh pubs stay with their regional supplier.
What makes up a pub's water bill?
- Water supply. Charged per cubic metre used, plus a standing charge based on your meter size.
- Foul sewerage. The cost of taking away used water. This is usually based on a percentage of the water you use.
- Surface water drainage. A charge for rainwater that runs off your roof and car park into the public sewer.
- Highway drainage. A charge for rainwater from public roads, often included in the drainage charge.
- Trade effluent. Only applies if you have a trade effluent consent to discharge waste other than normal sewage.
Why pub water bills are often too high
- Estimated bills. If your meter isn't read regularly, you can be billed on estimates for months.
- Leaks. A leaking toilet cistern, urinal or cellar pipe can waste a lot of water, and you pay sewerage on it too.
- Wrong drainage charges. If your rainwater goes to a soakaway or watercourse rather than the public sewer, you may not need to pay surface water drainage at all.
- Wrong meter size. An oversized meter can mean a higher standing charge.
- Never switched. Pubs that have never compared retailers miss out on discounts and better service.
How to lower your pub's water bill
- Check your bills. Look for estimated readings, the meter size and the drainage charges.
- Check for leaks. Take a meter reading at closing and again before opening. If the reading has moved, you probably have a leak.
- Fit urinal controls. Urinals that flush all night waste a lot of water. Controls that only flush when the toilets are used can make a big difference.
- Use efficient taps and glass washers. Spray taps and water-efficient equipment cut both water and sewerage costs.
- Claim a surface water drainage rebate if you're eligible. See our guide to the surface water drainage rebate.
- Compare water retailers. A broker can check prices and service from several retailers for you.
Water for pub groups
If you run several pubs, switching all sites to one retailer gives you one bill, one account manager and one renewal date. It also makes it much easier to spot a site with unusually high usage.
Frequently asked questions
Will switching water retailer interrupt my supply?
No. The pipes and the water stay the same. Only your billing and customer service change.
Can pubs in Scotland switch?
Yes. Scotland has its own business water market, which opened before England's.
Does a pub need a trade effluent consent?
Most pubs don't, because their waste water is treated as normal sewage. Check with your water company if you discharge anything else.
Check your pub's water bill
We compare water retailers as well as energy. Send us a recent water bill and we'll check it for errors and see if you can pay less. Compare business water or call 0151 541 6767. Looking at energy too? See pub energy.