How to become a water supplier

If you want to know how to become a water supplier to Scotland’s businesses, just read this simple three-step process.

Step one for potential water suppliers in Scotland involves applying to the Water Industry Commission for Scotland for the appropriate licence. The three types of licence are:

• General licence, which allows holders to compete to supply water and sewerage services for all non-household customers in Scotland.
• Specialist licence, which allows holders to supply customers who have successfully applied, or are currently applying for, a departure from the wholesale charge.
• Self-supply licence, which means holders are eligible to supply multiple sites that they own or operate. They can also apply for a discount on their wholesale charge from Scottish Water.

Step two for potential water suppliers is to sign up to the market and operational codes, which help ensure that interaction between Scottish Water and companies supplying water services flows smoothly.

The final step involves a series of technical checks by the Central Market Agency. This completes the process of how to become a water supplier.

You can find out more information about the steps involved in becoming a supplier on the Water Industry Commission for Scotland's website.