Water suppliers

Water suppliers are the companies that provide water only and water and sewerage for general domestic use to the UK’s homes. Suppliers are responsible for all customers in an agreed geographical region and customers are currently unable to switch from one water supplier to another. There are currently 25 water suppliers covering England, Scotland and Wales.

Your water supplier has a duty to supply you with a continuous supply of water at an adequate pressure for your daily use. Your water should be safe to drink and the quality is regulated by the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) for England and Wales. Each water supplier is tested regularly by inspectors to ensure the water is safe to drink.

Tests will cover bacteria, chemicals such as nitrate and pesticides, metals such as lead and the way the water looks and how it tastes. Your water pressure should be sufficient to fill a one gallon (4.5 litre) container in 30 seconds.

To cover the cost of supplying you with water and sewerage services, water suppliers charge customers a yearly water rate. The water rates are regulated by Ofwat, the water industry regulator. Every five years the water suppliers suggest the prices they would like to set and Ofwat reviews and decides on a price to suit both the suppliers and customers.

Water rates as well as covering day to day services need to cover the cost of renewing water pipes and treatment plants to maintain the quality of water and to improve customer services. Water suppliers do charge different rates and these differences are due to the geographical area which the company covers and water availability.