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Our expert guide to SES Business Water
SES Business Water is a licensed retailer supplying business water services across Scotland and England. It first entered the Scottish market before becoming the default retailer for non-household properties in the SES Water region when the English water market deregulated in 2017.
If your business is based in Sutton or East Surrey and if you haven’t switched retailers since then, SES Business Water is likely still your current provider. They handle your billing, meter readings, and customer support.
Enter your postcode above to compare business water rates from all retailers, including SES Business Water, and find the best option for your business.
SES Business Water customer service
Here’s how to reach SES Business Water’s support team:
SES Business Water contact number
You can contact SES Business Water on 0203 750 9300. Lines are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm (excluding public holidays).
SES Business Water email
For general enquiries, meter readings, or switching requests, email: query@sesbusinesswater.co.uk. You can also send meter readings directly to meterreadings@sesbusinesswater.co.uk.
SES Business Water login
Customers can manage their account through the SES Business Water online portal. The portal allows you to view and pay bills, submit meter readings, and access other account features.
SES Business Water prices
SES Business Water does not publish its fixed-rate tariffs online. However, it does make its deemed tariffs publicly available for customers who are not on a formal contract.
Below, we highlight the current deemed rates for a standard business user.
| Measured Water Annual Standing Charges | Southern Area | Northern Area 1 | Northern Area 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard (£ p.a.) (0-0.5Ml per site, per charging year) | £68.86 | £68.86 | £68.86 |
| Standard (£ p.a.) (0.5Ml-10Ml per site, per charging year) | £1.41 | £1.40 | £1.40 |
| Measured Water Volume Charges | Southern Area | Northern Area 1 | Northern Area 2 |
| Standard (£/m3) (0-0.5Ml per site, per charging year) | 1.7657 | 1.3769 | 1.3769 |
| Standard (£/m3) (0.5Ml-10Ml per site, per charging year) | 1.8221 | 1.4209 | 1.4209 |
SES Business Water is a water-only retailer, which means it does not bill for wastewater services.
If your business is in the Thames Water or South East Water regions, wastewater charges are handled by Castle Water. For customers in the Southern Water region, wastewater billing is managed by Business Stream.
Business water rates are determined by factors such as your location, the size of your meter, and your business’s water consumption.
SES Business Water and its background
SES Business Water is part of the SES Water group, which has supplied drinking water to parts of Surrey, West Sussex, Kent and south London for over 150 years. The group includes SES Water, the wholesale provider responsible for water sourcing and treatment in the region, and SES Business Water, which manages billing and retail services for non-household customers.
In early 2024, SES Water became part of the Pennon Group, which also owns South West Water, Bristol Water, Bournemouth Water and Source for Business. This provides SES Business Water with the backing of an experienced national group while maintaining its own brand identity.
SES Business Water tariffs
SES Business Water offers two types of tariffs for non-household customers: fixed-term contracts and deemed tariffs.
Fixed-term contracts
Most customers are on fixed-term contracts, which include an agreed retail charge for the duration of the agreement. These provide businesses with cost certainty and help avoid unexpected changes to charges. These prices are bespoke and will vary based on what part of the country you are in.
Deemed tariffs
If there is no active contract in place, for example, when a customer moves into new premises, the account is billed under SES Business Water’s deemed terms. These charges are typically higher than contracted rates and remain in place until a new agreement is signed or you switch business water suppliers.
SES Business Water contract features
Our experts have reviewed the SES Business Water terms and conditions to highlight the key contract features that matter most to business customers.
SES Business Water offers standard contract terms designed to help businesses manage payments, track usage, and avoid unnecessary charges.
Billing and meter readings
Customers are billed based on water meter readings or estimates where readings are not available. Regular submission of readings is encouraged to ensure accurate billing. If access to the meter is restricted, estimated charges may continue to apply.
Payment methods
Direct Debit is the preferred payment method. If a payment fails or the Direct Debit is cancelled, the customer remains responsible for settling the bill by another means. Late payment may result in added charges or debt collection action.
End of contract and renewal
At the end of a fixed-term contract, customers may receive notice and the option to renew. If no new contract is agreed, the account moves onto deemed terms. Early exit charges may apply depending on the agreement.
Credit checks and deposits
SES Business Water may carry out credit checks when opening or reviewing an account. A security deposit may be requested if there is a limited credit history or a record of missed payments. Deposits are refundable once the account is settled in full.
Non-payment and disconnection
If bills remain unpaid, SES Business Water may initiate debt recovery. Disconnection is only used as a last resort and only for eligible non-household properties, following regulatory notice procedures.
Meter access and responsibility
Customers must provide safe and reasonable access to their water meter for readings and maintenance. If access is denied, billing may continue based on estimates, and further steps may be taken to gain access if needed.
Backbilling and undercharging
If previous water consumption was missed or undercharged, SES Business Water may issue a backdated bill. In line with market rules, backbilling is limited to a maximum of 16 months unless the customer blocked access or provided false information.
Switching supplier
Customers are free to switch suppliers at the end of their contract. However, SES Business Water may object if any business water bills are more than 90 days overdue. All charges must be cleared before the switch can proceed.
How to get a SES Business Water quote
At AquaSwitch, we help businesses compare business water suppliers by providing clear information on pricing, service features, and contract terms. Our simple three-step process lets you compare SES Business Water with other leading providers across the market.
Enter your postcode
Start by entering your business postcode above and a few simple details about your business.
Compare prices
Review quotes from SES Business Water and other business water suppliers to find the best rates and contract terms for your needs.
Switch and save
Once you’ve found the right deal, you can switch business water supplier quickly and easily, ensuring you get competitive rates and the right service for your business.
SES Business Water additional services
SES Business Water provides a range of water efficiency services to help businesses reduce consumption, identify operational issues, and improve long-term water performance. These services are designed to support both environmental responsibility and cost control.
Water efficiency audits
SES Business Water offers water efficiency audits to assess how water is used across your business. These audits identify areas for improvement, such as excessive usage, faulty equipment, or inefficient processes.
Leak detection and repair
Using data analysis and technical inspections, SES Business Water helps identify and resolve business water leaks within commercial premises. Early detection can reduce water waste, limit property damage, and cut unnecessary charges.
Smart metering
Businesses can benefit from smart water meters and data water loggers that provide detailed consumption data. This allows for more accurate billing, improved leak detection, and better insight into water usage patterns.
SES Business Water customer reviews
SES Business Water does not have a verified Trustpilot rating, but we have reviewed available feedback on Google and other platforms to provide an overview of customer experiences.
Pros
- Responsive issue resolution: Some reviewers describe SES Business Water as helpful when resolving technical issues. A few mention quick action when leaks or meter problems were reported.
- Polite and knowledgeable staff: Several comments highlight positive interactions with staff, especially over the phone, with customers noting that team members were polite and well-informed.
Cons
- Long phone wait times: A number of customers report delays when trying to reach customer service by phone, with some saying they struggled to get through during peak hours.
- Billing and account issues: There are several reports of billing problems, such as incorrect charges or account details, and some reviewers say these issues took time to resolve.