Connecting new commercial properties to water services

Connecting new commercial properties to water services can be a lengthy and complex process. However, it doesn’t matter if you’re building a large commercial complex or a small holiday let, support is available to take you through the process of getting your water connected.

What kind of connections will I need?

There are three types of connection that need to be taken into account when it comes to new properties.

Fresh water supply into the property

To ensure you always have fresh, potable water whenever you turn the taps on, as well as plentiful water for washing, washing machines, dishwashers and flushing toilets, you’ll need to set up an incoming connection.

Outgoing connection

Once you’ve finished with your fresh water it becomes wastewater and will need disposing of. You will therefore need an outgoing connection that directs all wastewater into the drainage system.

Drainage

Property drainage deals with rainwater on or around your business premises and involves taking rainwater back into the water network to be treated. As a business, you will be responsible for paying towards highways drainage to collect and treat rainwater that falls on the country’s roads and highways.

Internal connections that aid water sustainability

If you are constructing new premises, this is the perfect opportunity to increase your business’s water sustainability. Only using fresh water for all your water needs can be wasteful and expensive as you do not need to use potable water for everything. Therefore, this is a great time to install water efficiency measures that will save water and save your business money at the same time as adding to your brand’s CSR credentials.

Grey water recycling

A lot of the water your business uses in its day-to-day operations can be reused. The clean water we get from our taps is highly treated to make it safe to drink. But you don’t need to use drinking water to flush toilets, wash vehicles and yards or even water grass or plants on your grounds. Therefore it makes ecological and financial sense to reuse as much water as possible. Many businesses are now diverting the grey water from sinks, showers, dishwashers and washing machines and using it to flush toilets, or they are diverting it to outside taps to be used for cleaning or watering the grounds. The advantages of grey water recycling is that you’ll be drawing in less fresh water and disposing of less wastewater, making a double saving on your water bills.

Harvesting rainwater

By harvesting rainwater, businesses can also save money by using less freshwater. Harvested rainwater can be stored in reservoir tanks and is suitable for grey water use. In addition, it is clean enough to be used in washing machines.

Grey water recycling and rainwater harvesting can go a long way toward helping your business become water positive.

Connecting your business water services

Click here to find out more about the support available to help you connect your new commercial property to water services in England and Scotland. You can also read more about our other services such as business water services or wastewater management.