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The Benchmark in Business Water Supply
Business Water Supply simplified
The business water supply sector is notorious for its inconsistent pricing, largely due to a vast independent sales channel of brokers and third-party introducers (TPIs). Organisations like these can manipulate the markup they add to the 'buy rate' of business water with minimal regulation, resulting in two identical businesses with the same water requirements paying significantly different amounts for their business water supply. This disparity makes it challenging for companies to recognize what constitutes a good deal.
To address this issue, we have launched procurebase+, the first subscription-based water procurement service for small businesses. By subscribing to one of our plans, you can access base rate pricing for your business water supply, just like energy brokers and TPIs do.
What is Base Rate?
In the context of water procurement contracts, the Base rate represents the initial rate that brokers, TPIs, and water intermediary companies use to quote and price water supply contracts through a Licensed Provider (LP). These intermediaries then add their uplift (or commission) to the base cost, leading to the final price that businesses pay. The uplifts can vary drastically between providers, meaning many business owners may end up paying more for their water supply than other similar businesses.
With procurebase+, SME business owners gain access to the base rate without any uplift, allowing for substantial savings on their water supply contracts. Essentially, you obtain Bare Bones pricing with complete transparency. Alongside reducing water supply costs, you can also expect expert support and exceptional customer service.
How much does a procurebase+ subscription cost?
The procurebase+ water subscription costs £150 for 36 months of access to base rate water pricing, equivalent to just £4.17 per month. You can also add unlimited additional sites and Supply Point IDs (SPIDs) for £80 each.
For businesses with high demand water supply requirements or those dealing with trade effluent waste, please reach out for a bespoke quote.
By using procurebase+ for your business water supply contract, you can anticipate savings of up to 45% on costs. With the addition of a free water audit conducted by our in-house experts, we can help your business identify overcharges and implement cost reduction measures. Your business could potentially reduce water, waste, and drainage supply costs by more than half in as little as six weeks.
With hundreds of businesses already benefiting from a simpler and more affordable way of managing their water procurement, contact us or visit one of our offices to discover how we can assist your business with a comprehensive bespoke water quote and audit report. Stop overpaying for your business water supply today.
procurebase+ benefits:
- No advance billing - enjoy savings from day one
- Access water rates at base/buy price
- No cap on water usage
- Multi-site management service
- Multi-site discounts
- Free Water Audit with Fix & Refund service*
- Arrears billing - only pay for your water when you use it, not six weeks in advance
- Change of Tenancy assistance
- Special rates for Charities & Not-for-profit organisations
Tariff Options: Default Minus
What is a Default Minus Water Tariff?
A Default Minus tariff is a business water pricing arrangement where the retailer offers a discount against the applicable default tariff. Rather than paying the standard default rates, the business benefits from reduced charges according to the terms of the tariff.
In Scotland, business water retailers use Scottish Water's wholesale charges as the basis for water and wastewater services, alongside any applicable retail charges.
What makes up the cost?
- Wholesale charges: The underlying charges for water supply, wastewater, surface drainage and other applicable services.
- Default tariff rates: The standard rates used as the reference point for the pricing arrangement.
- Agreed discount: A reduction against the relevant default tariff rates, as specified in the retailer's agreement.
- Other applicable charges: Standing charges, additional fees, agent commissions or services that may not be discounted, depending on the contract and supplier.
What does this mean for your business?
A Default Minus tariff can offer savings compared with the relevant default tariff. However, the size of the saving depends on the discount agreed, which charges it applies to and whether other fees remain payable.
Businesses should check exactly which rates are discounted, how the discount is calculated, and whether a different tariff could offer better overall value.
The key point: A discount against a default tariff does not automatically mean it is the cheapest option. Comparing the total cost and the terms of the agreement is essential.
procurebase+ gives your business access to the base water price which is the maximum discount permited by the licensed supplier. It removes the confusion around what a good business water supply agreement looks like. So unlike brokers, water suppliers and TPI's, you do not need to worry about having to check which is the best deal, what charges are contained in the price and what commission you are paying a sales person. With procurebase+ you are already on the best deal, everytime, always!
Tariff Options: Wholesale Plus
How does a Wholesale Plus tariff work?
A Wholesale Plus tariff is a business water pricing structure where the customer pays the wholesale cost of their water and wastewater services, plus an agreed additional charge from the retailer.
In Scotland, wholesale charges are set for the water services provided, while the retailer adds its own margin or service charge for managing the account and providing customer support.
What makes up the cost?
- Wholesale charges: The underlying charges for water supply, wastewater and other applicable services, based on the relevant wholesale tariff.
- Retailer uplift: An additional charge applied by the retailer, which may be a fixed fee, a percentage or an agreed unit-based margin, depending on the contract.
What does this mean for your business?
Unlike a single bundled tariff, a Wholesale Plus arrangement makes the retailer's additional charge more visible, helping businesses understand how their costs are structured.
However, wholesale charges can change in line with the applicable tariff and charging arrangements, so the total bill is not necessarily fixed for the duration of the contract. Each April, the wholesale cost of water is re-evaluated normally resulting in a wholesale price increase. As the wholesale cost element of a wholesale plus tariff is variable, there is no discount on this part of the tariff. With default minus tariffs, your discount is fixed and will apply to any changes in the default standard price of your water supplier agreement.
Wholesale Plus agreements do work for certain businesses but please speak to one of our water experts to evaluate your best options.