Coventry has businesses of all sizes, from small shopfronts to big manufacturing operations.
One thing that all of these businesses will have in common is water usage, whether that’s from a tap, or large-schale machinery.
And with business water usage comes business water expenses, and while water may not spring to mind as quickly as say internet it is a crucial and costly expense if you don’t factor the costs in.
With that in mind, here are some pointers for businesses that are looking for better water rates and monthly costs.
Industrial vs commercial
When you start looking at water billing, it’s worth keeping in mind that the type of business you run can have a big impact on things.
A commercial premises like an office space or small store will likely only use water by way of the bathrooms and kitchenettes.
A manufacturing plant, or a business that mixes water with chemicals like a car wash might need more specific services when it comes to the disposal of waste water – as well as set contingencies if supply is to be disrupted.
To make sure you aren’t getting fleeced, it’s best to know what you need so that when you see a supplier outline services you know which ones you do and don’t need.
What about property management?
Good news for those in property management: any premises that you let do not have to be supplied by a business water supplier.
Instead, your tenants will pay for the domestic supply through the regional water supplier.
Trade Effluent consents
If you have a business that produces Trade Effluent, which is water waste that can’t go through standard sewerage systems, you may need a consent.
You can apply yourself but it may be worth seeking out a supplier which provides Trade Effluent services.
These services will help you get consent through quicker, and ensure that what you have applied for is fully in line with the waste your business produces.
Local support and brokering deals
One thing that is incredibly important to look out for is a supplier that is independent of any wholesaler.
If a supplier is tied into a wholesaler, they may not be able to shop around to get you a good deal the same way an independent supplier would.
And there are some suppliers like Castle Water who promote services that are tailored to not only the business, but also the location that it’s in.
Be sure to look out for a wholly independent supplier who you are confident is able to provide services and billing that takes into account all the unique features of your business.
Once you have a supplier, see if you can get money-saving tech for useful insight
Once you have supply set up, it’s also important to make sure that you have a good idea of your day-by-day usage.
This will help you keep on top of billing and spot any inaccuracies as well as better manage your water.
Many suppliers have live-time usage reports and will install automated meter readers for free, so be sure to ask if that is available for your business.
