Thames Water is the UK’s largest water and wastewater services company. Each day they remove 4 billion litres of sewage (equivalent to 1,600 Olympic sized swimming pools) for 15 million customers.
They also supply 2.6 billion litres of tap water (equivalent to 1,000 Olympic sized swimming pools) to 9 million customers across London and the Thames Valley.
Below we’ll look at their rates, bill payment options, meters, contact numbers, service areas and finally review score.
Thames Water Rates & Charges For Business
Below are some of the charges for various types of business customers. However, please be advised that the charges outlined below may not be complete. Always check with Thames Water first to fully understand all your charges.
Metered customers:
Metered Water Charges 2016/17
| Tariff | Fixed charge | Variable charge (p/m3) | Annual supplementary charge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tariff A: Small usage (0-500m3 p.a.) | £20.45 | 135.60 | - |
| Tariff B: Small usage (500-1,000m3 p.a.) | £23.86 | 135.16 | - |
| Tariff C: Small usage (1,000-5,000m3 p.a.) | £59.48 | 131.75 | - |
| Tariff D: Moderate usage (5,000-20,000m3 p.a.) | £88.13 | 131.69 | - |
| Tariff: Medium usage (20,000-50,000m3 p.a.) | £128.52 | 120.70 | £2,182.35 |
| Tariff: Large usage (50,000-250,000m3 p.a.) | £224.68 | 99.09 | £12,773.19 |
| Tariff: High usage (250,000m3+ p.a.) | £718.67 | 79.36 | £60,913.36 |
Metered Wastewater Charges 2016/17
| Tariff | Fixed charge | Variable charge (p/m3) | Annual supplementary charge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tariff A: Small usage (0-500m3 p.a.) | £26.48 | 91.48 | - |
| Tariff B: Small usage (500-1,000m3 p.a.) | £29.52 | 89.78 | - |
| Tariff C: Small usage (1,000-5,000m3 p.a.) | £83.96 | 84.28 | - |
| Tariff D: Moderate usage (5,000-20,000m3 p.a.) | £126.43 | 84.03 | - |
| Tariff: Medium usage (20,000-50,000m3 p.a.) | £187.88 | 83.90 | - |
| Tariff: Intermediate usage (50,000-100,000m3 p.a.) | £332.03 | 83.82 | - |
| Tariff: Large usage (100,000-250,000m3 p.a.) | £332.03 | 67.50 | £16,320.00 |
| Tariff: High usage (250,000m3+ p.a.) | £1,173.82 | 67.50 | £16,320.00 |
Source and more information on Thames Water metered tariffs for 2016/17.
Business assessed and unmetered customers:
Water charges for unmetered business assessed customers
| Tariff | Fixed charge | Variable charge (p/m3) |
|---|---|---|
| Tariff A: Small usage (0-500m3 p.a.) | £19.97 | 135.54 |
| Tariff B: Small usage (500-1,000m3 p.a.) | £21.15 | 135.13 |
| Tariff C: Small usage (1,000-5,000m3 p.a.) | £59.66 | 131.76 |
| Tariff D: Moderate usage (5,000-20,000m3 p.a.) | £90.64 | 131.70 |
Wastewater charges for unmetered business assessed customers
| Tariff | Fixed charge | Variable charge (p/m3) |
|---|---|---|
| Tariff A: Small usage (0-500m3 p.a.) | £25.51 | 88.93 |
| Tariff B: Small usage (500-1,000m3 p.a.) | £25.51 | 89.51 |
| Tariff C: Small usage (1,000-5,000m3 p.a.) | £83.64 | 84.07 |
| Tariff D: Moderate usage (5,000-20,000m3 p.a.) | £119.78 | 84.22 |
Please note that unmetered business assessed customers will be placed in one of 5 bands depending on the type of business they run and this is used to calculate the assessed usage per full time employee.
Source and more information on Thames Water business assessed and unmetered tariffs for 2016/17.
Trade effluent:
Thames Water Trade Effluent Volume Tariffs 2016/17
| Description | Volume (m3 per year) | Rates (in pence/m3) |
|---|---|---|
| Reception and conveyance | 0 - 500 | 18.80 |
| Reception and conveyance | 500 - 1,000 | 20.35 |
| Reception and conveyance | 1,000 - 5,000 | 14.96 |
| Reception and conveyance | 5,000 - 20,000 | 15.05 |
| Reception and conveyance | 20,000 - 50,000 | 15.42 |
| Reception and conveyance | 50,000 - 250,000 | 15.89 |
| Reception and conveyance | Above 250,000 | 15.01 |
| Primary treatment | 15.88 | |
| Biological treatment | 20.35 | |
| Solids treatment | 19.49 |
In addition to the volume charges above for Trade effluent there are also the following fixed annual costs.
- Minimum charge: £158.25
- Medium usage (20,000-50,000m3 p.a.): £184.46
- Large usage (50,000-250,000m3 p.a.): £328.09
- High usage (250,000+m3 p.a.): £1,229.72
Source and more information on Thames Water trade effluent tariffs for 2016/17.
Thames Water Bills & Payment Options
Metered customers should receive a bill twice a year and have their water meter read at least once per year. Unmetered customers will receive an annual bill in February or March.
Thames Water makes it very easy to pay your water bill and offers the following payment options (note additional charges may apply for some methods):
- Direct Debit
- Debit or credit card
- Pay by phone
- Instalment payment plan
- Pay by Cheque via the post
- Pay at your bank
- Pay at your Post Office
- Pay by bank transfer
Thames Water Supply & Services Area
Below is a full list of the local authority areas served (either water supply, wastewater removal or both).
- Aylesbury Vale
- Barking & Dagenham
- Barnet
- Basingstoke & Deane
- Bexley
- Bracknell
- Brent
- Brentwood
- Bromley
- Broxbourne
- Camden
- Cherwell
- Chichester
- Chiltern
- City of London
- Cotswold
- Crawley
- Croydon
- Dacorum
- Dartford
- Daventry
- Ealing
- East Hampshire
- East Hertfordshire
- Elmbridge
- Enfield
- Epping Forest
- Epsom & Ewell
- Gravesham
- Greenwich
- Guildford
- Hackney
- Hammersmith & Fulham
- Haringey
- Harlow
- Harrow
- Hart
- Havering
- Hertsmere
- Hillingdon
- Horsham
- Hounslow
- Islington
- Kennet
- Kensington & Chelsea
- Kingston
- Lambeth
- Lewisham
- Luton
- Merton
- Mid Sussex
- Mole Valley
- Newbury
- Newham
- North Hertfordshire
- North Wiltshire
- Oxford
- Reading
- Redbridge
- Reigate & Banstead
- Richmond
- Runnymede
- Rushmoor
- St Albans
- Sevenoaks
- Slough
- South Bedfordshire
- South Buckinghamshire
- South Northamptonshire
- South Oxfordshire
- Southwark
- Spelthorne
- Stevenage
- Stratford
- Surrey Heath
- Sutton
- Swindon
- Tandridge
- Tewkesbury
- Three Rivers
- Tonbridge & Malling
- Tower Hamlets
- Uttlesford
- Vale of White Horse
- Waltham Forest
- Wandsworth
- Watford
- Waverley
- Welwyn Hatfield
- Westminster
- West Oxfordshire
- Winchester
- Windsor & Maidenhead
- Woking
- Wokingham
- Wycombe
Thames Water Meters
Thames Water claims that those on water meters tend to use 12% less water on average than those without. They are also currently rolling out Smart Metering across London, and will extend them to the Thames Valley from 2020. “Smart” Meters are connected to a wireless network so you can view your consumption 24/7.
Thames Water Contact Numbers
You can find Thames Water contact details here.
Here are some key numbers:
- Your account and bill: 0800 980 8800 (8am to 8pm, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm Saturday and closed on Sunday and bank holidays.)
- Report a leak: 0800 714 614 (24 hrs)
- Water Supply: 0800 316 9800 (24 hrs)
- Drains and Sewers: 0800 316 9800 (24 hrs)
Thames Water Review Score
– Review Posted on 18 Jan 2017
Thames Water Business website: https://businessservices.thameswater.co.uk/