Northern Ireland Water - Business Water Supplier Review 

In April of 2017, the water market in England and Scotland was deregulated. Now, business water consumers in England and Scotland have more options than ever before. They can enter into contracts with whichever commercial water supplier best suits their needs. 

Business owners in Northern Ireland do not enjoy the same opportunities. The water market in Northern Ireland is still very closely regulated. 

Northern Ireland Water is the only water supplier in Northern Ireland. The water market might become deregulated one day, but until that day business owners have to agree to the unit rates and rules set out by this supplier. 

Still, business owners have a lot of questions about Northern Ireland Water business water. Keep reading to find out how much Northern Ireland Water charges metered properties and what existing customers think about the services.

Related article: who are Ofwat?

Introduction to Northern Ireland Water

Northern Ireland Water is unique in that it is a Government Owned Company (GoCo). The Irish Government set Northern Ireland Water up in April of 2007. 

This supplier offers fresh water and wastewater services to domestic and non-domestic consumers. It collects around 330 million litres of wastewater and supplies consumers with around 560 million litres of drinking water each day.

Northern Ireland Water invests in several projects that aim to improve sustainability and create long-lasting environments for the community. It owns Silent Valley, one of the biggest and most popular reservoirs in the Mourne Mountains. Northern Ireland Water hopes to open more sites in the future.

This commercial water supplier also has its sights set on sustainable infrastructure. By 2020, Northern Ireland Water invested £3 billion into reducing leakage levels and improving the quality of freshwater. 

Prospective customers can learn more about Northern Ireland Water’s climate change ethos and sustainability development procedures on the website. Eco-conscious business owners will be happy to read that this supplier has set itself the goal of planting one million trees over the next ten years.  

Northern Ireland Water Commercial Water Services

Northern Ireland Water business water customers can access fresh water and wastewater services. The water market in Northern Ireland is still regulated, and Northern Ireland Water is the sole provider of water services. For this reason, there are not a lot of details about commercial water services on the websites. Business owners will no doubt be able to secure more details once they have a contract in place and have set up an account. 

This supplier is more than happy to create information guides for business owners. Prospective customers can read advice about winter-proofing their businesses and beating the freeze. 

At Love Energy Savings, we help business owners with wastewater management. Visit our business water section for more information about the services that we offer.

Northern Ireland Water Business Water Reviews

Customer reviews are an invaluable resource for business owners who want to choose a responsive commercial water supplier. They can highlight problems that might otherwise fly under the radar. Sites such as Trustpilot help prospective customers choose the right supplier for them. 

Northern Ireland Water business water customers are not impressed by its services. This supplier has 2.8/5 stars on Trustpilot and an overall rating of average. It only has three reviews on Trustpilot, which is strange for a service-based company that has been established for over a decade. 100% of customers think that the services are bad. Negative reviews mention shockingly poor service and drinking water that tastes like chlorine. 

Unfortunately for business water customers in Northern Ireland, the market has not been deregulated. Regardless of whether business owners like or dislike Northern Ireland Water’s services, they cannot switch to another supplier. 

Northern Ireland Water Average Business Water Prices

Business owners can find comprehensive information about Northern Ireland Water’s non-domestic prices on the website. This commercial water supplier defines non-domestic consumers as any of the following:

• Industrial properties
• Farms
• Small, medium, and large businesses
• Churches
• Voluntary groups
• Community groups
• Charities
• Public bodies
• Schools
• Hospitals
• Any non-household properties

It also outlines how business owners will be charged. Properties that have meters will be billed with measured charges. Properties that do not have meters will receive unmeasured charges. Premises that discharge (with permission) liquid waste into Northern Ireland Water’s sewers will also be billed trade effluent charges. 

Business owners that have meters fitted on their premises can expect a volumetric charge per m3 of £1.173 for water and £1.983 for sewerage. Business water consumers that do not have meters on their premises can expect a standing charge of £33.31 for water and £46.38 for sewerage. The variable charge per each £1,000 net annual value is £12.79 for water and £17.46 for sewerage.

Customers can also browse through a comprehensive document for the Scheme of Charges for 2022/2023.

Confused about non-domestic water bills? Our experts have written a guide that explains VAT on business water bills. 

Why Switch Commercial Water Suppliers?

Business owners might want to switch from Northern Ireland Water business water to a different water supplier. Unfortunately, the water market in Northern Ireland is still regulated, and Northern Ireland Water is the sole supplier. 

If and when the water market becomes deregulated, business owners might want to switch suppliers for several reasons. 

• Better customer services - It is no secret that Northern Ireland Water has a low rating on Trustpilot. Being the only water services provider in Northern Ireland, this supplier might not be as invested in its customer service support practices as it would be in a deregulated market. Competition often breeds better customer service support. 
• Long-term contracts - Commercial water suppliers are more than happy to offer incentives to secure new business. One of the biggest incentives that a business water supplier can offer new customers is long-term contracts. Established businesses appreciate three and even five-year contracts. These kinds of contracts allow business owners to lock in a fixed rate and predict their monthly bills. 
• Reduced prices - Now, business owners in Northern Ireland have no choice but to pay Northern Ireland Water’s unit rates. If the market becomes deregulated it will be flooded with competitors who are willing to offer much lower prices. Even the smallest difference can make a big impact on overall water bills. 
• Ethical programmes - Northern Ireland Water business water customers know how satisfying it is to invest in an environmentally-friendly company. This supplier invests in a lot of ecological and social programmes. If given the opportunity to switch, business owners will be able to find more water suppliers that invest in ethical programmes and more closely match their own ideals.

How to Switch Business Water Suppliers?

Only business water consumers in England and Scotland have the option to switch suppliers. 

At Love Energy Savings, we work hard to make the switching process as simple as possible. Business owners from all over the UK have told us horror stories about switching suppliers. 

Our experts have removed a lot of the hassle that comes with switching by creating a comprehensive comparison generator. We have packed our generator full of the best commercial water suppliers and unit rates in the UK. 

Switching is as easy as one, two, and three! First, pop your details into the generator. Next, wait 60 seconds for a long list of suitable suppliers to appear. And finally, choose a supplier that best meets your needs. We will handle the rest while you get on with your day-to-day obligations.