South East Water - Business Water Supplier Review

Ofwat decided to deregulate the water market in the UK in April of 2017. Before the deregulation of the water market, business owners had no choice but to accept the unit rates set out by their regional commercial water supplier. Now, there are two components to the deregulated market: wholesalers and retailers.

Retailers buy water from wholesalers. They add a small percentage on top of the price of the wholesale water. This charge covers customer-facing activities. Business owners can choose whichever water retailer best suits their needs.

Small, medium, and large businesses can receive tailored support. In this competitive market, business water suppliers are quick to claim that they can accommodate any kind of business needs. South East Water is just one of the water suppliers that is vying for customers, but what exactly does it have to offer? Our experts explore South East Water’s services, customer service ratings, sustainability programmes, and goals to help business owners make the switch that is right for them.

Introduction to South East Water

South East Water was first founded in 1992. It supplies freshwater to over 2.2 million customers in the South East of England. Southern Water handles this commercial water supplier’s wastewater services. Consumers will receive both charges on the same bill.

This business water supplier draws on more than 250 boreholes, six rivers, and six reservoirs for fresh water. It has a total of 83 treatment works. All the water that South East Water collects passes through a treatment centre to ensure that the quality of the freshwater remains the same across the board.

South East Water business water customers are investing in a supplier that cares about the environment. The leaders at South East Water see themselves as ‘guardians of the environment.’ They work with farmers and landowners to stop soil, fertiliser, and pesticides from washing from fields into rivers and groundwater. Farmers within priority areas can qualify for free confidential advice, report recommendations, workshops, and more.

Like a lot of commercial water suppliers, South East Water has created a 25 Year Environment Plan. People in the community can complete a feedback form and have their say. By introducing feedback forms, South East Water shows that it cares about creating an environmental impact that is shaped by the community.

South East Water Commercial Water Services

South East Water business water customers can access a range of non-domestic water services. They can secure high-quality fresh water and even safely dispose of their wastewater. All the wastewater services go through Southern Water but they will be billed through South East Water.

Prospective South East Water customers can find a lot of relevant information on the website. They can read about trade waste, learn how to manage trade waste, and review relevant applications. It is important to remember that waste is closely regulated and that business owners need to meet specific requirements and permits to release waste into sewage systems.

South East Water is unique in that it has a hydrant permit scheme. This scheme allows business owners to draw water from hydrants and fireplugs. This business water supplier has gone one step further and created Hydro Trak, a web-based hydrant monitoring system. It facilitates better monitoring and maintains water quality throughout the system.

South East Water Business Water Reviews

Customer reviews are an invaluable resource for business owners who want to consider all their options. Lots of big-name commercial water suppliers have millions of consumers and even bigger reputations. Sites like Trustpilot have revealed a new side to popular water suppliers. Their claims about services, customer support, and unit rates might not match customer experiences.

South East Water has 2.4/5 stars on Trustpilot and an average rating of poor. 25% of customers think that the services are excellent, but an overwhelming 64% of customers think that the services are bad. Excellent reviews mention that South East Water’s representatives are ‘highly efficient and friendly.’ Lots of negative reviews mention not having access to water for days on end.

Both domestic and business customers leave reviews on the same Trustpilot account. Prospective South East Water business water customers might read reviews that are not relevant to the services that they need.

A representative from South East Water replies to some but not all reviews.

South East Water Average Business Water Prices

Commercial water consumers can read about South East Water’s charges on the website. They can read about metered charges, assessed charges, and unmetered charges on the Wholesale Charges document. Business premises that have meters installed and those that do not have meters installed are charged differently.

Standing charges for unmetered premises change based on regions. Non-domestic premises located in the East (Eastbourne, Mid Sussex, and West Kent), as well as non-domestic premises located in the West (Mid Southern), have a standing charge of £0.91. Premises in Mid Kent have a standing charge of £33.45.

Concerned about your water usage? Read our Water Efficiency Guide for tips and tricks.

Why Switch Commercial Water Suppliers?

Lots of business owners are taking advantage of the deregulated market and switching commercial water suppliers.

Here are some of the advantages of switching suppliers.

• Lower charges - Business water consumers can make a large impact on their monthly expenses by switching suppliers. Each year, water suppliers establish new unit rates. As the water market becomes increasingly more competitive, lots of water suppliers focus on creating competitive rates.
• Better customer support - It is no secret that a lot of water suppliers fall at this hurdle. Business owners all over the UK have to deal with long wait times, lack of transparency, and poor communication. Making the switch to a supplier that has better customer service support can streamline emergencies such as leaks.
• Community engagement - South East Water business water customers are supporting a supplier that understands social responsibility. By supporting farmers in its regions, South East Water is allowing locals to contribute to water quality across the board. In exchange, farmers receive free services that can better their day to day operations. Business owners can boost their reputations by entering into contracts with socially responsible water suppliers.
• Sustainability programmes - Lots of water suppliers invest in sustainability programmes. By investing in a supplier that protects natural habitats and environments, business owners can support a cause that mirrors their company’s ethos.

So, can you change business water suppliers?

How to Switch Business Water Suppliers?

Switching commercial water suppliers can seem like a long, daunting process. Most business owners do not even have time to survey potential suppliers. Between acquiring new customers and ticking tasks off their checklists, business owners are short on time.

That is why we have created a comprehensive business water comparison engine. Our team have trawled the internet to find the best business water suppliers in your region. With our generator, it has never been easier to see all your options at once. Put your details into our generator, wait for 60 seconds, and browse through a list of suitable suppliers.

At Love Energy Savings, we make switching simple. When you have chosen a supplier, let us handle the rest of the switching process. Visit our business water section to learn more about our seamless switching service.