In the run-up to non-household competition in 2017, millions of pounds’ worth of currently unclaimed water rebates could be claimed back by businesses who are starting to get to grips with their water bills.

Graham Mann, MD of water audit consultancy H20 Building Services, says that even before the market for business competition opens in 2017, many companies could reduce their costs by a systematic analaysis of their water charges - including significant losses incurred via unknown leakage costs.

In 2013 alone H20 Building Services have helped companies of all shapes and sizes to claim refunds ranging from £100 up to £300,000 on a single site. 

Mann said that H2O are working with many companies to assess their water usage and help clients to reclaim thousands in over-paid bills. H2O are currently dealing with a particular surge in client rebates for businesses who are apparently being over-charged by their suppliers. Mann cites a number of actual example of the sums H2O are claiming on behalf of many businesses - including £66,000 and £242,000 in rebate cheques.

Graham Mann said:

“There are approximately 7 in 10 businesses who are entitled to refunds on their water bill, which we believe is mostly down to inaccurate charging from the water companies.” 

"Billing inaccuracies may be caused by many issues, from the simple, such as tariff options and applications, to the complex -surface water or pipe adoption issues." 

He added that a more complex problem occurring during audits and site surveys is the frequency at which underground water leaks are found - which directly affect the customer's bill. 

The issues are likely to move higher up the business agenda as both the water companies and potential new entrants to the sector start to position themselves in the run up to competition.