Water contractual charges are largely made up of a regional wholesale element, which is subject to change every April, the difference being passed through to the end user. Wholesale charges have been recently published and will come into effect 1st April 2026.
The latest price review PR24 saw some of the biggest price hikes since the privatisation of the industry to account for the largest investment program in history, seeking better outcomes for customers and our environment, looking to reduce pollution and improve resilience, adapting to put additional investment into climate change and working towards net-zero emissions.
Your charges are made up of two elements – a wholesale charge and a retail charge. From 1 April 2026, your charges will be adjusted in line with regulatory price controls which vary by region and service.
The wholesale charge in each region is the same for all water retailers and is determined by the wholesaler, your regional water company. The revenue from these charges helps to manage and maintain the water and sewerage infrastructure used to supply your services.
The 2026/27 average measured wholesale charge increases for each wholesale region are detailed in the table below and will be effective from 1st April 2026.
How Our Water Team Can Help
Increases are far from ideal in the current climate, we recognise they come at a time when many businesses are already facing increased cost pressures. We want to help you prepare for how any upcoming changes might impact you. Wholesale costs are only one element of your bill and there is still opportunity to reduce costs, helping to offset this impact.
The average business in the UK uses around 30% more water than required, suggesting that there’s a real opportunity to reduce consumption by detecting leaks and inefficiencies and clawing back some costs, not to mention being environmentally responsible and supportive of sustainability targets.
Billing Accuracy – Our bureau team will validate all charges and tariffs. With over 450 different tariffs in the industry, there’s a significant margin for error.
AMR – Our Metering Team can help you to monitor and manage your consumption through the installation of automated meters, capable of taking readings automatically on a half hourly basis (AMRs) and by using sophisticated data analytics to help identify opportunities to make savings. We can work with you to detect and address any consumption spikes by installing the right technologies to reduce water use and detect leaks.
CORA – Our Cost Optimisation Recovery Team has a wealth of experience in recovering costs and negotiating refunds across the UK, working alongside fully licensed leak technicians, billing analysts, site surveyors, trade effluent officers and surface water/highways drainage assessors, they’re able to identify irregularities that can sometimes feel impossible.
All we need is a valid Letter of Authority and 12-months of invoices. Contact us today and see how we can support you.