No, we get Paid by the end supplier.

No, we share in the profit the supplier makes and do not add any commission to the end price. It’s in the supplier’s interest to provide us with the most competitive prices.

All calculations are based on the previous years usage. If you use more water then previoulsy you will be charged accordingly.

We require your Supply Point IDs (SPID) from your Licensed Provider’s bill. There are usually two on your bill, one for your water supply and another for your waste water. Each SPID is 12 digits long. In some circumstances there maybe more than 2, we need all of your SPIDs to switch everything, otherwise you may continue to get a bill from your previous licensed provider.

Normally the transfer takes place between 14 – 28 working days.

No, we’ll notify your current provider and manage the transfer.

In our experience very few customers are in a contract with their current supplier,  If you are under contract with your current supplier they may prevent the transfer, but we will inform you if this happens.

There is no physical change to any part of the infrastructure; the only thing that will change for you is the price you are paying, the level of service that you receive and your bills will be sent by the new supplier.

We will arrange the transfer with your current supplier and will keep you informed throughout the process. The new supplier will confirm in writing the expected transfer date. We will let you know if there is a problem.

If you have your landlord’s details we may be able to lower your rent by changing your service provider.

There are typically 6 different parts to your water bill. The different charges are:

Fixed water charge – dependent on the size of your water supply and meter type o The amount of water you use OR if you are unmetered the rateable value of your premises

Waste water fixed charge – dependent on the size of your water supply and meter type.  The amount of waste water you use (typically assumed 95% of the water you used becomes waste water) OR if you are unmetered the rateable value of your premise.s Property drainage – based on the rateable value of your premises.

Roads drainage - based on the rateable value of your premises.

Property drainage is a charge to recover the cost of the sewer network transporting surface water away from your property boundary (such as the roof or a private car park) and treating it before it is discharged back into the environment.

Road drainage is your share of the cost of draining all of Scotland's roads (not just the particular roads near your premises). It is a Scottish Government policy that the cost of roads drainage is recovered from all customers connected to the Public Sewer System.

If your premises falls into any of the categories below then you will be charged for Roads and Property Drainage. To be charged your premises must either: Drain to the Public Sewer System; or

Have a drain connected, either directly or through an intermediate sewer or drain, to the Public Sewer System; or

Have the benefit of facilities which drain to the Public Sewer System; or o Have a septic tank overflow that drains to the Public Sewer System.

Roads and Property Drainage is based on the Rateable Value of your premises – please note that your charges are based on the Rateable Value assigned to your premises in 2000 unless you have altered your premises such that a new Rateable Value was assigned by the Scottish Assessors Association.

Some customer’s bills will also include Trade Effluent charges if their business releases industrial waste in to the sewer.

This is normally a charge associated with businesses such as builder’s yards whose waste water will contain chemicals or residue such as calcium from stone.

The customer must apply to Scottish Water for consent to dispose of Trade Effluent and they will advise the customer of the nature and quantity that they’re legally allowed to discharge.

It is a legal requirement to comply with Trade Effluent laws and failing to do so can incur fines.

It’s the customer’s legal responsibility to manage Trade Effluent within these set limits.

Scottish Water will continue to carry out all testing charges and regulation of a customer’s trade effluent.

If the nature of a business changes and it is to begin disposing of Trade Effluent, the customer must let Scottish Water know.

If your water is an important part of your business's service or product, for example if you are a brewery, you will be charged VAT on the water that you use. There are two rates of VAT: Standard rated – Your water charges will be subject to the prevailing rate or VAT Zero rated - You do not pay VAT.

In order for us to make sure you are not paying VAT when you don't need to, we will send you a declaration form to sign and return to us. It is important that we receive this document and that it includes your signature, otherwise you will not be exempt from paying VAT. We will then notify HMRC that your business is not eligible for VAT and zero rate your services.

If you pay VAT it will only be for your water supply, not your sewerage and this will be charged at 20%. The quickest way to establish which VAT rate applies is by checking an existing water invoice