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Tariffs and charges
Introduction
Being an independent water retailer, The Water Retail Company is not tied to any specific wholesaler. This allows us to offer unbiased pricing while delivering expert support tailored to client’s needs. We understand that businesses require clarity and predictability in their expenses, which is why we are committed to making our pricing structure as straightforward as possible. Therefore, we are committed to transparent and clear pricing, ensuring businesses have a full understanding of how their water and wastewater charges are determined.
Our charges for business water and wastewater services are based on wholesaler tariffs, which are updated annually and take effect from 1st April each year. These tariffs, set by regional wholesalers, reflect the cost of supplying and maintaining water services. They are combined with our retail service fee, ensuring that our clients receive fair and competitive pricing while benefiting from our dedicated customer support, account management, and value-added services.
Pricing structure and regulatory compliance
Our pricing structure consists of two main components:
- Wholesaler charges (tariffs): These are set by regional water wholesalers and vary based on location, consumption levels, and service type. Geographic location plays a significant role in pricing, as different wholesalers operate in specific regions, and their pricing structures reflect local supply conditions and infrastructure costs. Consumption levels also influence charges, with businesses that use higher volumes of water potentially subject to tiered pricing structures, where rates vary based on usage. Additionally, the type of service required affects costs, with distinct charges for potable (drinking) water, wastewater treatment, trade effluent disposal, and other water-related services. To conclude, wholesalers supply the water and maintain the infrastructure, setting base tariffs that apply to all retailers. These charges are set annually and published by each wholesaler. The Water Retail Company passes these costs directly to business clients, ensuring transparency with no hidden fees.
- Retail costs: This is our charge for managing your account, providing customer support, billing services, and helping you achieve water efficiency. Account management involves dedicated support from our expert team, helping businesses manage their water and waste water. Billing and customer service ensure clear, accurate invoices and responsive assistance to address any queries. Water efficiency consultancy focuses on optimising consumption, identifying potential savings, and implementing sustainability initiatives to enhance efficiency. Our retail cost is structured to ensure businesses receive high-quality, exclusive service. By structuring our charges this way, we provide businesses with a clear breakdown of costs, ensuring they can manage their water expenses in the most effective manner.
As a licensed water retailer, The Water Retail Company operates under strict regulatory frameworks. We comply with all market rules and regulations to ensure fair pricing and service standards. The key regulatory bodies governing our operations include:
- Ofwat (The Water Services Regulation Authority): The economic regulator for the water and wastewater industry in England and Wales. It oversees the market to ensure fair competition, consumer protection, and efficient service delivery.
- The Water Industry Commission for Scotland (WICS): The regulator overseeing the Scottish water market, ensuring efficiency, fairness, and sustainable practices in water services.
- MOSL (Market Operator Services Limited): The central market operator for the English water retail market. It facilitates fair transactions between wholesalers and retailers, ensuring smooth market operations. We are fully compliant with all regulatory requirements, ensuring transparency in our pricing and service delivery.
Yearly tariffs
Each year, water wholesalers publish updated tariff rates, which take effect from 1st April. These tariffs account for operational costs, maintenance investments, and inflationary adjustments and are influenced by market regulators. To help businesses make informed decisions, we provide access to the latest wholesaler tariffs in a form of a comprehensive document. Below, you will find a table with downloadable files containing detailed charge information for each wholesaler, updated annually and shown for the last three years. By reviewing these tariffs, businesses can gain insight into how their water charges are structured, helping them to plan budgets and manage costs effectively.
Going Forward
A clear understanding of charges and tariffs is essential for businesses to make informed decisions, plan budgets effectively, and adapt to changing market conditions. This transparency not only enables better financial management but also fosters trust and reliability, ensuring businesses can navigate the water market with confidence.
In the UK’s deregulated market, retailer’s focus should remain on key priorities to enhance service quality and support businesses effectively. A strong commitment to transparency is maintained through the annual publication of tariffs and improved pricing communications, ensuring businesses have a clear understanding of their charges. Tailored water audits, smart metering solutions, and efficiency strategies are provided to reduce consumption and lower costs. Customer support remains a priority, with dedicated account managers offering guidance, addressing queries, and delivering customised solutions to meet each business’s unique needs. Additionally, ongoing investments in technology and sustainability drive innovation in water management, helping businesses adopt more sustainable practices and improve their environmental footprint.
At The Water Retail Company, we go beyond simply providing water and wastewater services. We deliver expert support, transparency, and tailored solutions to help businesses manage their water efficiently. As an independent retailer, we offer unbiased access to wholesaler tariffs, and with full compliance to industry regulations, we remain a trusted partner for businesses looking for a straightforward and exclusive water management experience.
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