From April 2025, water bills for UK businesses are going up—and for many, it won’t just be the fresh water that costs more. The price of getting rid of dirty water, or wastewater, is climbing too.
At the same time, new environmental rules are being rolled out that will affect how wastewater is managed, monitored, and charged.
If your site produces trade effluent—any wastewater that’s not simply domestic (toilets, sinks etc.)—then these changes could have a direct impact on your bottom line. Whether you’re running a manufacturing facility, food production line, vehicle wash, or commercial kitchen, now’s the time to get ahead of the changes.
📈 1. What’s Changing in 2025?
💷 Higher Water Charges
From April 2025, water companies in England and Wales are being allowed to raise their charges. In many areas, wholesale rates for water and wastewater are rising by around 22% over the next five years.
This includes:
- The cost of the water you use (incoming mains supply)
- The cost of water going down your drains (wastewater treatment)
- Any additional trade effluent charges if your wastewater needs extra treatment
For businesses that use a lot of water or produce complex effluent, this could mean substantial increases in monthly bills.
🏛️ Stricter Rules from Regulators
Two major changes are happening:
- The Environment Agency is introducing an annual enforcement levy on permits for sites that discharge trade effluent.
- Updates to the Environmental Permitting Regulations (EPR) will mean:
- Less leniency for permit breaches
- More automated fines
- A greater focus on self-monitoring and transparent reporting
The message is clear: expect more scrutiny and tighter control over how you manage your wastewater.
💡 What is Trade Effluent?
Put simply, trade effluent is any liquid waste you discharge from your business that isn’t just domestic wastewater (like toilets and handwashing).
Examples include:
- Water used to wash down food preparation areas
- Oils, fats, and food scraps from commercial kitchens
- Chemical rinse water from manufacturing processes
- Runoff from cleaning vehicles or machinery
Because this water often contains grease, solids, chemicals or bacteria, it can’t just go into the sewer without permission and proper treatment. That’s why businesses must apply for a trade effluent consent from their water company—and why it comes with charges.
💸 2. Why Wastewater Could Be Costing You More Than You Realise
Trade effluent charges are calculated using a formula that looks at:
- The volume of water you discharge
- The type of waste it contains (e.g. solids, oxygen demand, pH)
- How much effort your water company needs to treat and clean it
If you don’t monitor this closely, you could be:
- Overpaying based on estimated flows
- Underpaying, leading to fines or backdated charges
- Breaching your consent without realising it
Many businesses don’t realise how much money they could save—or how much trouble they could avoid—by taking a more proactive approach to their effluent.
🛠 3. What Can You Do to Protect Your Business?
Managing your wastewater doesn’t have to be complicated—but doing nothing could cost you dearly. Here’s how you can take control, and where Trade Effluent Services (TES) can help:
✅ 1. Book a Trade Effluent Audit
At TES, we can:
- Review your charges and billing to spot overpayments or surcharges
- Analyse your discharge volumes and contents
- Recommend practical ways to reduce waste and cost
Even small changes—like altering cleaning methods or improving waste separation—can lead to significant savings.
✅ 2. Install Proper Monitoring & Measurement
We provide:
- Flow meters to track exactly how much you’re discharging
- Sampling equipment to measure key pollutants (e.g. fats, oils, suspended solids)
- Remote monitoring and telemetry for live insights and compliance
This helps you prove compliance, spot issues early, and avoid being overcharged.
✅ 3. Maintain Your Infrastructure
Our field team and modern fleet offer:
- Regular cleaning of interceptors, grease traps, and tanks
- Jetting and vacuumation to prevent build-ups
- Emergency spill response and one-off waste collections
- Routine maintenance contracts to keep your system running smoothly
Regular upkeep helps avoid blockages, spills, and costly callouts.
✅ 4. Handle Compliance and Paperwork
Need help applying for a trade effluent consent or updating an existing one? We’ll:
- Liaise with water companies
- Handle permit applications and renewals
- Keep you on top of monitoring, inspections, and deadlines
You stay compliant—we handle the admin.
✅ 5. Offer On-Site Treatment Options
If your effluent needs extra treatment before discharge, we can:
- Provide mobile dewatering and sludge handling systems
- Help reduce BOD/COD loads and improve discharge quality
- Offer tailored advice on pre-treatment or separation solutions
This reduces costs and helps you avoid permit breaches or surcharges.
🧠 The Bottom Line
Water prices are rising. Regulations are tightening. But with the right support, you can stay ahead—and potentially save thousands.
You don’t need to be a wastewater expert. That’s what we’re here for.
👋 We’re Here to Help
At Trade Effluent Services, we work with businesses of all sizes to make wastewater management easy, efficient, and compliant.
Whether you need:
- A one-off collection
- Ongoing maintenance
- Expert advice or an effluent audit
—we’re ready to help.
📞 Talk to Us
Need a clearer picture of your site’s wastewater risks—or how much you could save?
👉 Call our team today for a free initial assessment
📩 Or get in touch and we’ll respond within one working day
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