When an organisation has several premises, water bills multiply quickly. Different sites may be billed on different dates, by different retailers or water companies, under different account numbers. Nobody has a clear view of the whole picture, and errors at individual sites can go unnoticed. Our multi-site water bill review brings your bills together so they can be compared properly.
Common multi-site problems
- Outlier sites – one location using or paying far more than similar sites, with no clear reason.
- Missing or orphaned accounts – bills still arriving for premises you have left, or sites you occupy that don't appear to be billed at all.
- Duplicate accounts – the same supply billed twice, sometimes after a change of retailer or ownership.
- Inconsistent charges – similar sites with very different wastewater, drainage or standing charges.
- Long-running estimates – sites where meters are rarely read and bills are consistently estimated.
What we do
We review each site's bills in the same way as a single-site business water bill audit, then compare across your portfolio. This makes it easier to see which sites look out of line and where to focus attention.
- Building a list of your supplies, meters and accounts from the bills you send.
- Comparing consumption and cost between sites of similar type and size.
- Checking wastewater, surface water drainage and standing charges for consistency.
- Highlighting consumption anomalies that may suggest leaks.
- Flagging accounts that may be duplicated, closed or missing.
Your summary will prioritise the sites and issues that look most worth pursuing, so you know where to start.
Sites in different parts of the UK
The business water market works differently in each nation. In England, most business customers can choose a retailer; in Scotland, they can choose a licensed provider buying wholesale services from Scottish Water; and in Wales, most business customers cannot switch, as only customers of a Welsh-based water company using more than 50 megalitres a year are eligible. For organisations with sites across Great Britain, this can mean several suppliers and different rules. We take each site's location into account.
The regulatory picture is also changing. In July 2025 the UK Government announced that Ofwat will be replaced by a new water regulator for England, with economic regulation in Wales to be devolved. Ofwat remains in place until the new body is established. Our reviews focus on what is on your bills today, and we'll flag any developments relevant to your sites.
What helps
A list of your sites, with addresses and account numbers if you have them, makes the review quicker and helps us spot gaps. Ideally send up to 12 months of bills for each site, but fewer is fine. If you hold bills in a spreadsheet or billing portal export, that can help too. See how it works for what to expect.
Who this is for
This service suits retail chains, restaurant and hotel groups, care home operators, multi-academy trusts, charities with several premises, property managers and any organisation responsible for more than one site. Read more on our multi-site organisations page.
Start a multi-site review
Upload your bills or contact us to discuss your portfolio first. We'll explain any fees before any work goes ahead.
Frequently asked questions
How many sites can you review?
We can review bills for organisations with a handful of sites or many. Get in touch first if you have a large portfolio so we can plan the review with you.
Do all my sites need to be with the same supplier?
No. We review bills from different retailers and water companies, and across England, Scotland and Wales.
What if I don't have bills for every site?
Send what you have, along with a list of sites if possible. Gaps in the bills can themselves be useful, as they may reveal missing or orphaned accounts.
Can you help consolidate our accounts with one retailer?
Our focus is on checking that charges are correct. Whether consolidating or switching is possible depends on where your sites are, as most sites in Wales can't switch. We can explain the considerations in your summary.
Last reviewed: 16 October 2026 · Written by the WaterBillCheck team
