Water: The Utility Many Businesses Overlook

When organisations review their utility costs, the focus almost always falls on electricity and gas. Given the size of those budgets, that’s understandable.

However, one area that’s often overlooked is water.

Whilst water may represent a smaller proportion of overall utility spend, it’s also one of the easiest areas where businesses can identify quick, measurable savings. For organisations operating multiple sites or with high water consumption, those savings can be more significant than many realise.

More Than Just Lower Bills

Since the water market was deregulated in England and Scotland, businesses have been able to choose their water supplier in much the same way they choose their energy supplier.

That creates opportunities to reduce costs, improve service and gain greater visibility of water consumption across an entire portfolio.

An effective water management strategy can help businesses:

• Reduce water and sewerage costs
• Improve visibility across multiple sites
• Identify unnecessary consumption and waste
• Support wider sustainability and ESG objectives
• Simplify supplier management and billing

Could You Have Been Overcharged?

One of the most overlooked opportunities lies in historic billing.

Before competition was introduced, many businesses were supplied by regional monopoly providers. Inconsistent billing systems and inaccurate data meant some organisations paid incorrect charges for years without realising.

A review of historic invoices and consumption data can identify billing discrepancies, incorrect tariffs and other overcharges that may be recoverable.

Procurement Still Matters

Once historic billing has been reviewed, supplier procurement can deliver further savings.

Today’s competitive market allows businesses to compare suppliers based on price, service and account management, while multi-site organisations can often benefit from consolidating their portfolio under a single supplier, making costs easier to manage and report.

A Smarter Approach to Water Management

Managing water shouldn’t simply be about switching supplier.

The greatest value comes from understanding consumption, identifying inefficiencies and putting a long-term strategy in place that helps reduce costs while supporting sustainability goals.

For many businesses, water remains the forgotten utility, but it doesn’t have to be.

At GLEG, we help businesses take a complete view of their utility portfolio, identifying opportunities to reduce costs across energy and water while improving visibility and control.

If your organisation hasn’t reviewed its water costs recently, now could be the ideal time to start. Contact the GLEG team at hello@gleg.co.uk to find out more.