Charity water supply: Charges, consumption and savings

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Average charities water consumption

UK charities typically only use modest amounts of water from the mains.

Similar to office-based businesses, the main sources of water consumption come from bathroom and kitchen facilities.

Based on AquaSwitch customer data, a typical charity shop will consume 60 cubic metres of water per year, equivalent to half the water consumption of the average UK household.

Unlike households, most charities will have a water meter that records water consumption to calculate business water bills. This means proactively cutting water consumption is key to minimising costs.

Water charges for charities

A charity water bill is made up of separate charges for the water supplied to the site and the wastewater removed, each with a fixed and a volumetric element.

In England and Scotland, charities fall under the deregulated non-household water regime, meaning they pay business water rates from a registered commercial water supplier.

Here are the key elements of water charges for charities:

Water supply: A volumetric charge for each cubic metre supplied, plus a standing charge based on the meter size.
Wastewater removal: A volumetric charge applied to the share of the supply assumed to return to the sewer, plus a standing charge.
Surface water drainage: In some regions, a charge based on the chargeable site area, covering rainwater running off roofs, yards and car parks.
Highway drainage: In some regions, a separate charge covering rainwater running off the public roads outside the site.

Like most businesses, charities typically do not pay VAT on water bills.

Reducing water bills for charities

There are three options available to charities wishing to reduce their water bills.

Charity exemption on water charges in Scotland

Registered charities in Scotland with a gross income of less than £300,000 can apply for partial or complete exemption from wholesale water and sewerage charges.

Find out more on the mygov.scot website.

Applications for exemption are made through your business water supplier.

Reducing unnecessary consumption

Unit charges for water consumption and wastewater removal make up the majority of water bills received by charities.

Using water efficiently and quickly fixing any water leaks directly reduces consumption and results in lower water bills.

Avoid expensive default rates

Most charities in England and Scotland pay bills using an unnecessarily expensive default business water tariff.

Charities can find cheaper fixed tariffs using our business water comparison service and switch to a supplier offering more competitive prices.

Improving water efficiency for charities

Water at a charity site is used by people rather than by a process, so most of the savings come from the water fittings and the behaviour of staff members. Here are five quick ways a charity can reduce water consumption:

Install percussion push-taps or infrared sensor taps to cut wastage from taps left running.
Fit low-flow showerheads and dual-flush toilets in any residential or shower facilities.
Fix dripping taps and running toilet cisterns promptly, rather than letting them run for months.
Run dishwashers and washing machines only with full loads, and choose water-efficient models when replacing appliances.
Display simple signage encouraging staff, volunteers and visitors to be water-conscious.

Water supply options for charities

Almost every charity site receives water from the mains network, and for a shop or an office, that is the only sensible option.

However, there are alternative options and considerations for other types of UK charities.

Mains water

A mains water connection covers everything a charity site needs and is the only supply that arrives at drinking water standards, which matters wherever there is a kitchen, a drinking tap or food handed out to the public.

Collecting rainwater from the roof

Village halls, community centres and warehouse-style donation centres often have a large, shallow roof, which makes commercial rainwater harvesting a useful option for watering any garden areas.

Back-up supplies

A hospice, refuge, night shelter or day centre cannot send people home when the mains supply stops, so it is important to consider back-up options. A clear water contingency plan enables these types of charities to keep a service running through a business water interruption.