Scottish Water - wholesale water suppliers

Scottish Water is the wholesale water supplier in Scotland. This means it sells water and sewerage services to licensed suppliers, who can then retail the services on to customers. Find out more about wholesale charges on the Water Industry Commission for Scotland's website.

As well as acting as a wholesale water supplier, Scottish Water operates and maintains the network of pipes, mains and treatment works in Scotland. It also supplies water and sewerage services to all of Scotland's household water customers.

Water suppliers buy water wholesale. Scotland's businesses then choose the supplier that best meets their needs. They also have the option of applying for a licence to become a water supplier.

The licences available include self-supply licences, which allow holders to supply the water and sewerage services for all of the sites they own or operate. They will purchase wholesale water direct from Scottish Water.

Suppliers can also apply for general or specialist licences. General licences allow holders to compete to supply water and sewerage services to all non-household customers, while specialist licences allow holders to supply customers who have applied for a departure from the wholesale charge.

Buy water wholesale in Scotland

It is a simple, three-stage process to become a water supplier, allowing you to buy water wholesale in Scotland and provide water and sewerage services to business customers.

First, apply to the Water Industry Commission for Scotland for a licence. Next, you must sign up to the market and operational codes set out by the Central Market Agency.

Finally, the CMA will run a series of technical checks to asses your suitability as a water supplier.