Switching water supplier is still a gimmick for most businesses – the real savings are in auditing usage, not chasing price alone
The truth is out!
Do you believe that Switching water supplier is still a gimmick for most businesses – the real savings are in auditing usage, not chasing price alone”?
It may surprise you to learn I do, and its a fact ever since we designed developed and launched Switchwatersupplier.com we have never been about Switching Water Supplier alone, from day one we have always said “Join Us On The Journey” a journey to Water And Wastewater sustainability Switching Water Supplier is the first step to Water and Wastewater Sustainability and correct billing going forwards.
The common narrative in our industry emphasises choosing a new supplier (“switch to save”). But according to research, published in The UK Water Report only ~3.4 percent of supply points switched in 2023/24
The facts are that many businesses equate “switching” with cost-cutting, yet significant savings (and refund claims) seem to come from uncovering incorrect bills and consumption inefficiencies. our website itself notes that “many customers are being overcharged or undercharged” through billing defects
And believe me some of the billing errors are substantial ,with refunds of £50,000 to £200,000 are not uncommon!
The implication: chasing the “cheapest retailer” might be less impactful than improving how much water you use, how you pay, and how you monitor your bills.
Controversial points for discussion:
- Are businesses being sold “supplier switching” as a silver-bullet when the real game is consumption and billing?
- What percentage of your potential savings come from usage audit vs supplier shift?
- Is the water retail market too focused on supplier-fees rather than helping customers fix underlying inefficiencies?
More controversial facts for discussion:
“The deregulated business water retail market isn’t delivering competition the way it promises – it has the appearance of choice but the reality is legacy customers are still captive”
- Since the market opened in 2017, new entrants have taken for the first time a majority of switches (54 percent) in 2023/24 — but they still only supply ~8.5 percent of all supply points
- Business customers often cite reasons like “too little to gain” or “process too complex” for not engaging.
Controversial points for discussion:
- Is the “open market” in business water supply more symbolic than functional?
- What structural or behavioural barriers stop businesses from switching more?
- Are incumbent suppliers still effectively captive because switching costs/risks remain high?
- What should regulators or platforms like Switchwatersupplier.com do to make switching real instead of theoretical?
“Water retailers and switching platforms are letting the sustainability narrative distract from poor service, opaque and incorrect billing, and mis-allocated costs”
- There is lots of focus on water efficiency, ESG, net zero, but many businesses still struggle with billing errors/overcharges and opaque contractual structures. this: “Many customers are being overcharged or undercharged … for many, it is highly likely their charges are incorrect due to incorrect market data following deregulation.”
- While sustainability is lauded, the fundamental business proposition (transparent, accurate billing + fair pricing) is lagging.
- Some businesses may be sold “go greener with your water supplier” when actually the biggest cost-leak is historical billing and contract complexity.
Controversial points for discussion:
- Are we over-selling “green water supply” while under-delivering on “fair water supply”?
- Does focusing on sustainability distract decision-makers from auditing their bills and contract terms?
- Should switching platforms emphasise billing validation and contract transparency before touting supplier change for sustainability