Industrial water bills can be among the most complicated a business receives. A factory may use water in its processes, for cooling, cleaning or as an ingredient, while a warehouse may use relatively little water but sit on a large plot of roofs, yards and hardstanding. Some sites also discharge trade effluent. Each of these can affect different charges on the bill, and each is worth understanding.
How industrial sites typically use water
There is no single pattern, but some common features include:
- Process and cleaning water. Manufacturing, food production and washdown routines can use large volumes, often tied to shift patterns and production schedules.
- Water that doesn't go back to the sewer. Some water may evaporate, be lost in cooling, or end up in a product rather than draining away.
- Large site areas. Warehouses and distribution centres often have extensive roofs, loading yards and car parks, which can be relevant to surface water drainage charges.
- Multiple meters and supplies. Older or expanded sites may have several meters, sub-meters or supplies added over time.
Trade effluent
Trade effluent is broadly any liquid waste from business activity, other than domestic-type sewage from toilets and washrooms, that is discharged to the public sewer. Businesses generally need consent from the relevant wastewater company before discharging it, and in England applications are usually made through your retailer. Where a site has trade effluent consent, trade effluent charges can appear on the water bill as a separate item, typically based on the volume and strength of what is discharged.
If your bill includes trade effluent charges, it can be worth checking that the volumes, sampling information and the premises details used appear consistent with your consent and your operations. We'll highlight anything that looks unusual, but the detailed terms of any consent are a matter between you, your retailer and the wastewater company.
What may be worth checking on your bills
Wastewater volumes
Sewerage charges are commonly based on the water you take in, with an allowance for water that doesn't return to the sewer. If a significant amount of your water is used up in processes, it may be worth checking the basis on which your wastewater charges are calculated. Our wastewater and sewerage charge check covers this.
Surface water drainage
Large sites can have significant surface water drainage charges. If some or all of your rainwater drains to a soakaway, watercourse or private system rather than the public sewer, you may be able to apply for a rebate. Find out more about our surface water drainage charge review.
Leaks and unexplained consumption
Underground pipework on large sites can leak for a long time without being noticed. Usage during shutdowns, weekends or holidays is a useful signal. See our consumption and leak anomaly check.
Meter and tariff details
Meter sizes and tariffs set when a site was built or last expanded may no longer match how it operates. Our tariff and standing charge review explains what we look at.
How to submit your bills
- Gather up to 12 months of water bills, including any separate trade effluent invoices or statements.
- If you can, include a brief note on shift patterns, shutdown periods and whether you have trade effluent consent.
- Upload your site's water bills through our secure form.
- We'll review the charges and send you a summary of possible findings. We'll explain any fees before any work goes ahead.
For organisations with several plants or depots, our multi-site water bill review may be the better fit.
Frequently asked questions
What is trade effluent?
In general terms, it is liquid waste from business or industrial activity, other than domestic-type sewage, that is discharged to the public sewer. Businesses usually need consent to discharge it, and charges for it can appear on the water bill.
Can you review our trade effluent charges?
We can look at whether the trade effluent charges on your bills appear consistent and flag anything that seems unusual. The detailed terms of your consent are set by the wastewater company, so any query would be raised through your retailer.
Much of our water goes into our products. Does that matter?
It can. Sewerage charges are often linked to the water a site takes in, so if a meaningful share doesn't return to the sewer, it may be worth checking how your wastewater charges have been calculated.
Our warehouse uses very little water. Is there anything to check?
Possibly. Low-use sites with large roofs and yards may find that surface water drainage is a significant part of the bill, so it's worth checking that the charge reflects how rainwater actually leaves the site.
Last reviewed: 16 October 2026 · Written by the WaterBillCheck team
