Understanding your bill
What information is on my bill?
Your bill will be somewhat different subject to whether you are on a meter, as your charges will vary. It will cover water, wastewater and drainage charges. If you have separate suppliers for your water and sewage services, then you’ll receive separate bills from each company.
Your bill will comprise of:
- Business information – such as your business name, address etc
- Customer reference or invoice no. – this number should be referenced when making a payment
- Supply point ID (SPID)/waste supply point ID – a unique number that specifies where your water access point is
- Account summary – a summary of charges, including adjustments to bills and any outstanding debts
- Charge summary – charges for this given billing period. This will include service charges and VAT
- Charge breakdown – made up of a fixed charge to cover service maintenance, and a volumetric charge based on your meter (usage will be estimated using your Rateable Value if unmetered)
What am I being charged for?
For water services:
- If your business is on a meter, then you’ll pay a volumetric rate for your water, as well as a fixed standing charge which covers billing and customer service costs.
- Charges are slightly different if your business is unmetered. You’ll pay a standing charge as well as a charge based on the Rateable Value of your property.
- Some suppliers may offer non-potable water at cheaper rates as it requires less treatment. Non-potable water is water not meant for human consumption.
For sewage services:
- Sewage charges cover the collecting, treating, and disposing of sewage..
- Sewage covers foul sewage and surface water drainage, including removal of rainwater from your property. Generally, you’ll pay on a volumetric rate if metered, and based on your property’s Rateable Value if not. The discharge volume is estimated on your business’s water intake and perimeter size..
