[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Section” transparent_background=”off” allow_player_pause=”off” inner_shadow=”off” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on” padding_mobile=”off” make_fullwidth=”off” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”off” make_equal=”off” use_custom_gutter=”off” fullwidth=”on” specialty=”off” disabled=”off” custom_padding=”40px|||”][et_pb_fullwidth_slider admin_label=”Fullwidth Slider” show_arrows=”on” show_pagination=”on” auto=”off” auto_speed=”7000″ auto_ignore_hover=”off” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”off” remove_inner_shadow=”off” background_position=”default” background_size=”default” hide_content_on_mobile=”off” hide_cta_on_mobile=”off” show_image_video_mobile=”off” custom_button=”off” button_text_size=”20″ button_letter_spacing=”0″ button_use_icon=”default” button_icon_placement=”right” button_on_hover=”on” button_letter_spacing_hover=”0″ disabled=”off”]
[et_pb_slide button_link=”#” background_image=”https://www.energycentric.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/bigstock-Dam-of-the-hydro-power-sation-67465999-1.jpg” background_position=”default” background_size=”default” background_color=”#ffffff” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” alignment=”center” background_layout=”dark” allow_player_pause=”off” text_border_radius=”3″ header_font=”||||” body_font=”||||” custom_button=”off” button_font=”||||” button_use_icon=”default” button_icon_placement=”right” button_on_hover=”on” disabled=”off”][/et_pb_slide]
[/et_pb_fullwidth_slider][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Section” transparent_background=”off” allow_player_pause=”off” inner_shadow=”off” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on” padding_mobile=”off” make_fullwidth=”off” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”off” custom_width_px=”1080px” custom_width_percent=”80%” make_equal=”off” use_custom_gutter=”off” fullwidth=”on” specialty=”off” disabled=”off”][et_pb_fullwidth_header admin_label=”Fullwidth Header” title=”Frequently Asked Question” background_layout=”dark” text_orientation=”center” header_fullscreen=”off” header_scroll_down=”off” background_color=”#363b74″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”off” content_orientation=”center” image_orientation=”center” custom_button_one=”off” button_one_letter_spacing=”0″ button_one_use_icon=”default” button_one_icon_placement=”right” button_one_on_hover=”on” button_one_letter_spacing_hover=”0″ custom_button_two=”off” button_two_letter_spacing=”0″ button_two_use_icon=”default” button_two_icon_placement=”right” button_two_on_hover=”on” button_two_letter_spacing_hover=”0″ disabled=”off” subhead=”This is an exciting new opportunity for business in England and Wales to better manage their water bills, so naturally there are many questions about the changes. Please refer below to answers to some of the more common questions.”]
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Common Questions Answered

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_toggle admin_label=”What are the changes? ” title=”What are the changes? ” open=”off” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]
In April 2017, the water retail market will open to businesses across England (and for businesses in Wales, or those that have their existing water company based mainly in Wales, and that use more than 50 million litres of water per year).Simply, this means business water customers will be able to switch providers, but are not obliged to. Whilst the water wholesaler will remain geographically determined, the licensed provider I.e. the company undertaking the billing and meter readings, can be chosen by the customer.
[/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle admin_label=”Why is the system changing? ” title=”Why is the system changing? ” open=”off” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]
The Government’s aim is for a fairer system for businesses by creating choice, and opening up the water and sewerage market to competition from new suppliers/retailers. The Water Act 2014 lays out a number of reforms, including making it easier for non-domestic water supplies to be changed. They hope this will improve customer service, create efficiencies and push for sustainable water collection and distribution.
[/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle admin_label=”Is waste water included? ” title=”Is waste water included? ” open=”off” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]
Yes. Businesses will also not be obliged to use the same supplier for water as the one that takes away the waste water. Businesses will be allowed to negotiate the deal that is best for them.
[/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle admin_label=”Will businesses be able to get water from a different part of the country?” title=”Will businesses be able to get water from a different part of the country?” open=”off” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]
No. A business’s water will still come through their pipes from the same source, but the company that provides the billing and meter readings to them will no longer have to be the one which has previously been forced upon them due to their location in the country.
[/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle admin_label=”How can a business learn about the different suppliers? ” title=”How can a business learn about the different suppliers? ” open=”off” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]
Open Water will list all licenced suppliers from April 2017.
[/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle admin_label=”How will the changes be managed? ” title=”How will the changes be managed? ” open=”off” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]
A programme called Open Water has been set up to manage the changes. It is made up of three parties: the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), the Water Services Regulations Authority (Ofwat) and Market Operator Services Ltd (MOSL).
Together they will ensure:

  • The Government’s legislation is carried out accurately;
  • There is a regulatory framework;
  • A good central IT infrastructure is in place.

[/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle admin_label=”How will the new system be regulated? ” title=”How will the new system be regulated? ” open=”off” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]
Ofwat has created a Customer Protection Code of Practice , and they are also creating a ‘Market Monitoring Framework’ within the industry. This will measure and record each water supplier’s performance and standards, and make the information public. Open Water and the Consumer Council for Water will also be able to offer guidance on businesses’ rights. These controls will ensure that mis-selling and poor practice does not affect businesses.
[/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle admin_label=”Is there protection in case a supplier is liquidated? ” title=”Is there protection in case a supplier is liquidated? ” open=”off” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]
Yes. Ofwat and MOSL have created a ‘Direction to Supply’ arrangement, whereby affected businesses will be allocated a new, approved supplier.
[/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle admin_label=”Why would a business switch? ” title=”Why would a business switch? ” open=”off” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]
A business may choose to switch to reduce costs on their water bills, but they are under no obligation to do so. Other expected benefits include an improved and more tailored service, better access to smart meters and water usage data, and helping the environment by improving water efficiency.
[/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle admin_label=”Can all businesses switch? ” title=”Can all businesses switch? ” open=”off” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]
Most businesses in England will be able to switch if they wish from April 2017. Open Water has an eligibility checker that you may use to determine if you can change water supplier/retailer.
[/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle admin_label=”How can Energycentric help businesses? ” title=”How can Energycentric help? ” open=”off” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]
With agreements in place with all the major new water retailers, Energycentric is well placed to negotiate new contracts going forwards. But it’s not about the cost of the commodity, because as you will see from our literature, savings will be minimal in England and Wales. It is about reducing consumption, paying for services that are used, consolidation of billing and recovering overpaid monies from the past.
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