What is going on?
You can choose your water and sewerage supplier
Since April 2008, all 130,000 non-household customers in Scotland have been able to choose their water and sewerage supplier.
This includes all commercial organisations, public sector bodies (such as schools and hospitals), and charitable and not-for-profit organisations. In fact, all non-household users are now able to choose the water supplier that best meets their needs.
Scotland is the first country in the world to offer non-household customers a genuine opportunity to choose the water and sewerage supplier they use. This competition is bringing benefits such as:
- Lower prices.
- Improved services.
- Increased innovation.
- Wider choice.
The market affects only the retail part of the service (that is, the customer-facing activities such as billing and water efficiency advice). It is therefore quick and easy to choose water supplier, as your supplier will handle everything.
How Scottish Water is affected
Scottish Water still acts as a monopoly wholesaler and distributor, as well as supplying domestic customers with water and sewerage services. It is responsible for operating and maintaining the network of water and sewerage pipes, as well as selling wholesale water services to the current Scottish water companies.
Scottish Water created a separate retail business called Business Stream, to serve non-household customers. Business Stream competes with the other suppliers, all working so your business or public sector organisation will choose them as a water supplier.