Edinburgh-based water retailer Business Stream has been awarded the Scottish Government Public Sector Procurement Framework for Water and Waste Water Billing services.

The deal represents a significant win back for the water company who recently announced that it is now the second largest water retailer in the UK, following its acquisition of Yorkshire Water Business Services and success in securing over £280 million of new contracts since the English market opened in 2017.

Business Stream will provide water and waste water services to public bodies under the Framework, with a key focus on supporting the delivery of initiatives to reduce water use, to help contribute towards the Scottish Government’s ambitious net-zero carbon targets.

Jo Dow, Chief Executive of Business Stream, commented:

“We are absolutely delighted to have won back the Scottish Government public sector framework contract. We have a strong track record of working with the public sector and over the years have developed a suite of value-added services to meet their needs. We are now looking forward to working in partnership with public sector organisations across Scotland, providing our expertise and services to help them save time, money and water.”

The three-year contract, worth around £200 million, covers Scottish public sector bodies including Local Authorities, NHS Scotland, Scottish Fire & Rescue, Police Scotland, Scottish Prison Service, universities and colleges and Scottish Government.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said:

“This is the third time that this contract has been competed. Following a robust evaluation process, Scottish Water Business Stream Ltd were identified as offering the best balance of quality and price for the public purse.”

Business Stream is the largest operator in the Scottish non-domestic water market, which opened to competition in April 2008. Business Stream acquired the non-household customer base of Southern Water in preparation for the opening of the English retail water market. On 1 October 2019, Business Stream acquired the customer base of its competitors Yorkshire Water Business Services (YWBS) and Three-Sixty, both part of the Kelda Group, doubling its market share.

Headquartered in Edinburgh, it also has offices in Glasgow, Worthing and Bradford, and employs over 400 members of staff. The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Scottish Water with its own board and independent management team.