Water, sewerage and drainage charges for businesses
You must pay water, sewerage and drainage charges if your business property connects to the public network. You'll pay these charges to your Licensed Providers.
Non-domestic water and sewerage charges are not included in your non-domestic rates bill.
Vacant properties must also pay these charges if they're connected to the public network.
The tariff you pay for your business depends on the Licensed Provider you choose. Find out about available tariffs from Licensed Providers.
How your charges are calculated
The amount you pay for water and sewerage services depends on the amount of water used. A water meter will measure how much water you use.
Unmeasured charges
'Unmeasured charges' are fees that cannot be calculated by a water meter.
If Scottish Water cannot install a meter at your property, your water and sewerage service will be an unmeasured charge. Drainage services are also an unmeasured charge.
The rateable value of your property is used to calculate your unmeasured water and sewerage charges. Rateable values are:
- updated regularly by the Scottish Assessors' Association
- a reflection of the value of your property
- the same as those used to calculate your business rates
If your rateable value changes
If the rateable value of your property changes, your water charges will change too. This will happen from the date the assessor sends you a notice with the new valuation.
This is the Valuation Notice Issue Date.
Requirements for landlords
If you're a landlord of a business property, you must tell your Licensed Provider about any change of occupancy in your property. If you do not, you will need to pay some or all of the charges.
Contact your Licensed Provider or use the Landlord Portal to report changes of occupancy. The Landlord Portal allows you to track the changes for all the properties you own.
Choosing a supplier
Scottish Water provide water and sewerage services in Scotland and maintain the public system.
As a business customer, you can choose your Licensed Provider for non-domestic water and sewerage services. They must be licensed by the Water Industry Commission for Scotland.
Find guidance on Licensed Providers and how to switch on Scotland on Tap.
Make a complaint
Complaining about services
If you're experiencing issues, check if there are any emergency or essential works happening in your area that may affect your service.
If you're unhappy with the water and sewerage services provided to your business, you should make a formal complaint to Scottish Water.
Find contact and complaints details for Scottish Water on their website.
Complaining about charges
Contact your Licensed Provider if you're unhappy with your business water and sewerage charges.
Find contact and complaints details for your Licensed Provider on Scotland on Tap.
If you're not happy with the outcome of your complaint
You should complete the complaints process with Scottish Water or your Licensed Provider.
If you're not happy with their response, you can contact the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman.
Exemptions
Charities and Community Amateur Sports Clubs may get an exemption or discount for their water and sewerage charges.
Find out more about the Water and Sewerage Charges Exemption Scheme.