Before the business market was opened to competition there was no distinction between retail and wholesale services. Businesses were supplied exclusively by their regional water or water and sewerage company, just as households still are. In the new market, wholesale and retail services are provided by different companies who have different responsibilities.
Wholesalers provide water to the customer through the same pipes and networks as before with some also managing the removal and treatment of wastewater, but they no longer perform any customer-facing activities. Instead, they charge a wholesale rate to a retailer who passes the charges through to the customer, adding a small retail fee for providing billing, meter reading and customer services.
If you experience a water or wastewater emergency such as no water, a burst main, taste or smell issues with the water at your property or you are aware of a blocked public sewer you will need to call your local wholesaler, not your retailer.
Wholesaler contact details
Affinity Water
0345 357 2407
Albion Water
0800 917 5819
Anglian and Hartlepool
03457 145 145
Bournemouth Water
0800 587 8979
Bristol Water
0345 702 3797
Cambridge Water
01223 706050
Cholderton and District Water
07437 445 863
Dwr Cymru Welsh Water
0800 085 3968
Essex and Suffolk
0800 526 337
Northumbrian Water
0800 393 084
Portsmouth Water
023 9247 7999
Scottish Water
0800 0778 778
Severn Trent Water
088 783 4444
South East Water
0333 000 0365
South Staffs Water
0800 389 1011
South West Water
0344 346 2020
Southern Water
0330 303 0368
Sutton and East Surrey
01737 772 000
Thames Water
0800 316 9800
United Utilities
0345 672 3723
Wessex Water
0345 600 4600
Yorkshire Water
0800 573 553
Who is my wholesaler? A guide to Great Britain's wholesaler companies
