Scotland business water at a glance
- Market opened: 1 April 2008, almost a decade before England.
- Who can switch: non household premises, including shops, offices, hospitality, charities and the public sector.
- Wholesaler: Scottish Water, for every part of Scotland.
- Regulator: the Water Industry Commission for Scotland.
- Complaints: your provider first, then the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman.
How the Scottish business water market works
Scotland has one wholesaler, Scottish Water. It treats and supplies the water, maintains the network and takes away wastewater for every business in the country. That never changes, whichever provider you choose.
What you can choose is your licensed provider, the company that sends your bills, reads your meter and handles your account. Providers buy wholesale services from Scottish Water and compete on price, service and extras such as leak detection or water efficiency advice. You can check which companies are licensed on the WICS register of licences.
| Scotland | England | |
|---|---|---|
| Market opened | 1 April 2008 | 1 April 2017 |
| Wholesaler | Scottish Water for the whole country | Your regional water company |
| Regulator | Water Industry Commission for Scotland | Ofwat |
| Complaints | Scottish Public Services Ombudsman | Consumer Council for Water |
If your business has sites in both countries, read our main business water rates guide too. Some providers can put Scottish and English sites on one account.
What is on a Scottish business water bill?
| Charge | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Water supply | The water you use, usually charged per cubic metre through a meter. |
| Wastewater | Taking away and treating used water, normally linked to how much water you use. |
| Property drainage | Rainwater running off your roof and land into the public sewer. |
| Roads drainage | Rainwater from public roads, shared across connected properties. |
| Fixed charges | Meter and connection charges that depend on the size of your supply. |
| Trade effluent | Extra charges if you discharge anything other than normal wastewater. |
Wholesale charges are set within limits agreed with WICS, so the retail element is where providers compete. Errors are common too: a wrong meter size, a missed vacancy or drainage charged when your rainwater goes to a soakaway can all push a bill up.
How to find the cheapest business water supplier in Scotland
- Gather your bills. You need your supply point ID, current provider and recent usage.
- Check your contract. Look for an end date and any early exit fees before you agree a new deal.
- Compare like for like. Look at the retail discount, contract length, payment terms and how often meters are read.
- Check every charge. Make sure property drainage and fixed charges match your premises.
- Switch. Your new provider handles the move through the Central Market Agency, with no work on site and no break in supply.
Ways to cut water costs in Scotland
- Read your meter regularly so bills are based on what you use, not estimates.
- Look for leaks by taking a reading when the site is closed and another before you open.
- Claim drainage relief if rainwater from your property does not reach the public sewer.
- Tell your provider about empty premises so charges can be reviewed.
- Group your sites on one account if you run more than one location.
Compare business water and energy together
Water is only part of your running costs. A trusted broker can check your water alongside business electricity and business gas, and our guide to business energy renewals explains how to avoid expensive default rates. Use the form above to get a free, no obligation quote for your Scottish premises.