Water and Wastewater Insights
Helping organisations understand what sits behind their water costs
Clear information, carefully explained
Our Insights are intended to make non-household water and wastewater matters easier to understand. We aim to distinguish general information from questions that require investigation of a particular account, property or occupancy arrangement.
Water services and charging arrangements vary between premises. Our articles therefore provide general guidance and should not be treated as confirmation that a particular charge is correct or incorrect.
Where lease interpretation or another legal issue arises, appropriate professional advice may be required.
Water and Wastewater Insight Categories
We have grouped our Insights into four distinct categories:
Understanding Your Charges
Billing, Meters and Consumption
Property and Occupancy
Independent Reviews
Water and wastewater charges can be difficult to understand. Bills may contain several charging elements, account information may have developed over many years, and changes to premises, meters or site operations may not always be easy to trace.
We believe our Insights help provide clear, practical guidance to help businesses, schools, academies, charities, public bodies and other organisations understand the issues that can affect non-household water charges.
Whether you receive water bills directly or costs are recovered through a service charge, rent or another arrangement, the starting point is understanding what you are paying for and why.
Water Is Usually Clear
Water Charges Often Aren’t
Non-Return to Sewer Allowances: Could Your Wastewater Charges Be Based on Too Much Water?
Wastewater volume charges are commonly calculated by reference to the water supplied to a property. But what happens when a material proportion of that water evaporates, enters a product, is used for irrigation or leaves the site by another route? A Non-Return to Sewer allowance may help ensure charges better reflect the volume actually returning to the public sewer.
Why Multi-Site Organisations Need Clear Water Account Visibility
Multi-site organisations may hold numerous accounts, meters and billing arrangements. Learn why a reliable view of the complete water portfolio matters.
Concessionary Surface Water Drainage Charges: Could Your Organisation Qualify?
Some community organisations and schools may qualify for reduced or capped surface water drainage charges. However, eligibility, charging treatment and application requirements vary between wastewater wholesalers.
Water Billing Questions for Schools and Academy Trusts
Schools and academy trusts can have complex water arrangements across buildings, meters and sites. These practical questions can help finance and estates teams improve understanding and oversight.
Have Changes to Your Premises Been Reflected in Your Water Charges?
Extensions, divisions, acquisitions, closures and changes of use can affect water accounts. Learn why billing and site records should be considered after premises change.
What Can Continuous Water Consumption Indicate?
Water use continuing when a site is closed or inactive may have several explanations. Learn what continuous consumption can indicate and how to investigate it carefully.
What Are Surface Water Drainage Charges?
Surface water drainage charges relate to rainwater draining from a property into the public sewer network. Learn how these charges may arise and what information organisations should understand.
Why Has Our Business Water Bill Increased?
A higher business water bill does not always have one simple cause. Learn which changes in consumption, readings, tariffs and site arrangements may warrant investigation.
No Water Bill? You May Still Be Paying for Water
Not receiving a water bill does not necessarily mean water costs do not affect your organisation. They may be included within service charges, rent or other property-related costs.
What Does an Independent Water Charge Review Examine?
An independent water charge review considers more than the total shown on an invoice. Learn what information may be examined and what the possible outcomes could be.
Seven Signs Your Organisation’s Water Charges May Warrant Review
Not every water account contains an error, but certain changes, inconsistencies and information gaps may justify a closer look.
Is Water Included in Commercial Service Charges?
Water and wastewater costs can be included within commercial service charges. Learn why arrangements vary and what information occupiers should review.
What Makes Up A Business Water Bill?
Business water bills can contain more than water consumption. Understand the different services and charging elements that may affect your organisation.
Estimated and Actual Meter Readings: Why the Difference Matters
Understand how estimated and actual meter readings can affect business water bills, consumption visibility and later billing adjustments.