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

A map of the wholesalers locations across the United Kingdom.