Our ambition
Yorkshire Water's wholesale ambition is to be a national leader in the provision of non-household services and we work collaboratively with the water retail market to help achieve this.
This includes working with wholesalers, retailers, MOSL, Ofwat and CCWater within the Retailer Wholesaler Group (RWG). The RWG is a voluntary group of trading party representatives who work together to identify opportunities and deliver solutions that improve outcomes for business customers in the market.
Our purpose
We’re proud to pay water’s part making Yorkshire a brilliant place to do business.
Our ambition
We will be a national leader in the provision of non-household wholesale services.
Our mission
We will put people first and deliver the customer promise to retailers and NHHC.
Sam Byrom
Chair of Meter Reading Standards
“Yorkshire Water are always keen to get involved in RWG subgroups as it’s a great opportunity for trading parties to have the space to collaborate and resolve market frictions. The key for us is delivering excellent outcomes for Yorkshire businesses which aligns with the RWG purpose”
RWG Drought subgroup
Yorkshire Water established the RWG Drought subgroup, chaired by Matt Rix, in August 2022. The aim of the subgroup is to develop a good practice guide to standardise communications to retailers for temporary usage bans (TUBs) and non-essential usage bans (NEUBs) across wholesale regions.
RWG good practice guides
The table below shows guidance which has been issued by the RWG to date and how Yorkshire Water’s policies and procedures are aligned.
| Good practice guide | Alignment | Comments | Policy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alignment to Retail Price Control Groups | Fully Aligned |
Reviewed and adopted within 25/26 business plan. Adopted and implemented spring 2026 |
|
| Complaints | Fully Aligned |
Fully aligned with the process, documented within Bilateral process |
RWG Good Practice Guide |
| Data Logging | Fully Aligned |
Fully alligned and supported with Data logging policy and Logger and battery manuals demonstrating IP standard. |
Data Logging Policy |
| Disconnection Non-Payment | Fully Aligned |
Fully aligned with guidance, supported with YW Wholesale Policy onthe disconnection of Non-Household water Services Policy |
YW Wholesale Policy on the disconnection of Non-Household water Services |
| Drought Communications | Fully Aligned |
YW are fully aligned with the drought communications and worked to implement the guide. |
|
| Emergency Contact Details | Fully Aligned |
Fully Aligned with the obligations set for Wholesalers. Ongoing improvement work for this for future storing of essential Contact information |
N/A |
| Fixed Meter Charges | Fully Aligned |
Yorkshire Water having a single fixed meter charge which is a more simplified approach which is accepted within the guidance |
Wholesale Charges Scheme |
| Leakage | Fully Aligned |
Fully aligned with the process, suported with Non-Household Customer side leakage policy |
Allowances Policy |
| Meter Location Free Descriptor | Partially Aligned |
Partially aligned due to YW not adopting full process guidance around Descriptor Format, GIS Coordinates Included and What3Words Reference. This information is all used however not necessarily in the format advised or location. |
Standardising Meter Location Free Descriptor Good Practice Guide |
| Meter Reading Standards | Fully Aligned |
Fully aligned with guidance, supported with meter reading contract |
Meter Reading Standards Market Guidance |
| Planned events | Fully aligned |
RIO portal rolled out. Unable to contact customers directly as YW do not hold this information and retailers can use the portal to allow direct notifications to their customers. |
|
| Unplanned events | Fully aligned | Fully aligned with guidance, supported with Part of the Bilateral process E3-E7 and Sensitive Customer and SSA Policy. | |
| Simplification and Harmonisation of Metered Consumption Bands | Fully aligned | Fully Aligned with the guidance and supported within the Wholesale charges scheme and Charging rules compliance | |
| Return to sewer allowances | Fully aligned | N/A | Allowances policy |
| Standard Skip Codes and Processes | Fully Aligned | Awaiting new update on this however based on current standards we align fully and expected to continue to following update. | Standard skip codes and processes |
| Wholesale Charges Scheme | Fully aligned | Fully aligned with guidance based on the format and content expected within this. Supported on website with information published with the Wholesale charges scheme. | Wholesale Charges Scheme |
| Engaging business retail customers effectively through the smart meter rollout | Partially aligned | Partially aligned with the guidance. There is work still to be done surrounding the specific tailored communication to non-household customers during the roll out. Awaiting update to the guidance and following this will be working towards full alignment. | Engaging business retail customers effectively through the smart meter roll out - Good Practice Guide |