Water Billing Data Correction What Is It?
Water billing data correction refers to the process of identifying and rectifying errors or inaccuracies in a customer’s water bill or the underlying data used to calculate it. This can include addressing issues that lead to overcharging or undercharging customers for their water usage.
Without historical auditing of your water bills and especially since industry deregulation, where a number of inconsistencies were introduced into the market data, it’s quite possible your organisation may be being billed incorrectly. These billing errors will continue to go unnoticed unless your bills are audited by someone with the correct experience, who knows exactly what to look for and what to check.
Why Is Billing Data Correction Important?
- Ensuring accurate billing: Correcting errors ensures that customers are billed fairly and accurately for the Water they consume and the Wastewater they discharge and all the other charges such as Water Meter Standing charges, Trade Effluent charges, Surface Water and Property Drainage charges Maximum Daily Demand charges (MDD) and other Sundry and Environmental charges.
- Preventing overcharges and undercharges: It helps avoid situations where customers are overcharged (potentially leading to refunds and customer dissatisfaction) or undercharged (leading to revenue loss for the utility).
- Identifying leaks and inefficiencies: Analyzing billing data can help identify anomalies in consumption that could indicate leaks or inefficiencies within a customer’s property or the utility’s infrastructure, according to Switchwatersupplier.com and Energy Action Group.
- Improving customer satisfaction: Accurate billing and timely resolution of errors contribute to a better customer experience and stronger trust between customers and their water providers.
- Promoting sustainable water management: Correcting billing errors and encouraging accurate consumption awareness contributes to overall Water Conservation efforts which is good for business and our environment.
What can cause billing errors?
- Incorrect meter readings: Manual meter readings are susceptible to human error, according to TrustPortal and Muni-Link.
- Faulty meters: Meters can malfunction or become inaccurate over time, impacting the accuracy of readings.
- Incorrect application of tariffs and charges: Utilities may apply the wrong rates or miscalculate charges such as surface water drainage or Trade Effluent fees, this type of Billing Data Correction is high up on the list of frequent incorrect charges.
- Data entry mistakes: Errors during the manual entry of customer information or consumption data can lead to inaccuracies.
- Leaks and undetected water loss: Leaks within the customer’s property or the distribution network can significantly increase consumption, leading to higher bills.
- Billing for non-existent services: Customers may be charged for services they don’t receive or are not applicable to their property.
How is billing data corrected?
- Water Bill Validation/Auditing: This involves a detailed examination of current and historical Water Bills, comparing charges against actual consumption and applicable tariffs, according to Switch Water Supplier.
- Meter Verification and Calibration: Checking meter accuracy and, if needed, calibrating or replacing faulty Water Meters.
- Data Review and System Adjustments: Investigating and correcting inaccuracies in customer information or billing calculations within the utility’s system.
- Negotiating with the Water Company: If discrepancies are found, customers or water consultants can raise the issue with the water company and advocate for adjustments and potential refunds.
- Third-Party Assistance: Services specializing in Water Bill Validation and auditing can help identify errors and manage the correction process on behalf of businesses, leading to potential refunds and cost savings.
The Blame Game So Who’s Fault Is It Anyway?
Most of the incorrect charges stem from the Water and Wastewater wholesale companies they bill the Water Retail Companies for Water and Wastewater services who in turn bill the non residential customers plus a small percentage mark up on the wholesale rates.
The Water and Wastewater data that the wholesalers use to charge customers is held in CMOS which referes to the Central Market Operating System In the water industry, CMOS refers to the Central Market Operating System, a core IT system that underpins the non-household Water Market in England. It’s operated by Market Operator Services Limited (MOSL)and facilitates the switching of non-household customers between different Water and Wastewater Retailers. CMOS manages all electronic transactions related to this switching process and handles the settlement of water usage and charges between retailers and wholesalers.
What Is The Billing ‘Top Complaint’ For Water Companies?
Billing ‘Top Complaint’ For Water Companies
While there’s a lot to be concerned about regarding water company conduct, everything from water mismanagement and underinvestment in essential infrastructure to illegal sewage discharges into rivers, lakes and streams, the most common cause of complaint from customers has been revealed as billing issues…….
Water Industry News Switchwatersupplier.com May 15th 2025
Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
Core Function:
CMOS acts as the central hub for data and transactions in the non-household water market
- Key Responsibilities:
- Maintains a database of every non-household property using water, wastewater, or drainage services.
- Facilitates the switching of customers between retailers.
- Calculates and shares settlement data, which is used to determine the charges between retailers and wholesalers.
- Supports over 1.2 million businesses in England in choosing their water and wastewater providers.
- Data Management: CMOS stores essential information such as supply point details, meter readings, tariffs, and trade effluent consents
- Transaction Volume: CMOS handles a significant volume of transactions daily, averaging around 90,000, processed by over 3,600 users from various organizations, according to MOSL
- Market Operation: CMOS is crucial for the competitive Water Market, ensuring smooth operations and facilitating fair competition among retailers.