24 February 2010

2010 COSLA and Improvement Service Annual Conference

The 2010 COSLA and Improvement Service Annual Conference takes place from Wednesday, 3 March through to Friday, 5 March.

Business Stream will be there helping public sector organisations save operating costs by reducing water consumption. Taking place amidst the deepest economic recession in decades, this three-day conference will focus on the future of Scottish public sector organisations and how they will cope in this tough climate. A number of key speakers and exhibitors from the Scottish political scene will be there to debate these major issues.

15 January 2010

Take action to prevent leaks

There are steps you can take to prevent water leaks and save your business money.

6 January 2010

VAT change on water bills

On 1 January 2010, standard VAT reverted back from 15% to 17.5%.

The change in the VAT rate means that any bills we send out from 1 January 2010 onwards will use the new 17.5% VAT rate. Bills which are cancelled or refunded will use the rate which appeared on the original bill, whenever it was issued. The change only affects the VAT part of your bills. Our charges remain the same.

Read more about how VAT change affects your business's water bills.

9 December 2009

Businesses urged to protect their pipes over winter

Businesses in Scotland should be aware of the hidden risks of cold weather over winter.

Cold spells over the holidays can lead to unused pipes freezing and then bursting when they thaw. By protecting pipes and leaving heating on low in unoccupied workplaces over the Christmas and New Year period, businesses and public sector organisations can help avoid burst water or waste water pipes, which could potentially ruin equipment, carpets, furniture, stock and premises.

Follow the these simple steps to protect your pipes;

27 November 2009

Business Stream wins at the CBI Growing Business Awards

Business Stream won the People and Performance Award at the Confederation of British Industry's (CBI) annual Growing Business Awards.

This award goes to the company that has most successfully devised and implemented modern people and/or process management practices to transform its overall performance in the past 12 months.

18 November 2009

Scottish businesses urged to put a ‘hippo in the tank’ for World Toilet Day

Business Stream is supporting World Toilet Day on Thursday 19 November, by encouraging businesses to claim their free water saving hippo from us. 

17 November 2009

Business Stream shortlisted in the Utility Awards 2009

Business Stream is shortlisted for Marketing Initiative of the Year and Change Management Initiative of the Year.

The Utility Industry Achievement Awards are one of the most prestigious awards for utility companies, and this year, Business Stream’s been shortlisted in two categories.

4 November 2009

New charges for additional track inspections

Scottish Water has recently notified us that, with immediate effect, there will be a charge for each track inspection required for new water and waste water connections.

From now on customers will be charged for each track inspection required. For the 2009/10 financial year, each track inspection charge will be £50.05 + VAT.

19 October 2009

Postal delays expected – eBilling can help your business

Upcoming Royal Mail strike action will impact Scotland’s post, but receiving your water bills online means there’s no chance of them getting lost.

It’s very likely that your business will be affected. Mail could get delivered late or lost in the post, and you could face additional administrative charges if you don’t pay your bills on time.
Our eBilling service lets you view your water and waste water bills online, at any time – and they won’t get lost in the post.

5 October 2009

Top tips for saving money

We’re in CA magazine this month giving businesses practical tips on how to reduce their water usage and cut their costs.

Every business, large or small, can follow a few simple steps to cut down on their consumption.

28 September 2009

Business Stream is granted a licence to operate in England and Wales

As Scotland's largest supplier of water and waste water, we've been delivering savings and new services to our customers for the past two years.

We've now been awarded a retail licence that allows us to serve eligible business customers in England and Wales. We're looking forward to using our services to help customers save money and to save water.

18 September 2009

Business Stream get shortlisted for IT industry award

Business Stream, Scotland's largest water and waste water supplier to businesses, has been shortlisted in the UK IT Industry Awards for the Best SME IT Strategy.

The UK IT Industry awards are the most prestigious awards in the country for IT, so we're delighted to have made the shortlist. The next stage is a presentation and questions from a panel of judges made up of some of the most senior IT professionals in the country.

15 September 2009

Money saving tips for businesses from the FSB

Andy Willox, Scottish policy convener at the Federation for Small Businesses has some helpful tips for businesses in these tough times.

1 September 2009

Business Stream is exhibiting at Procurex 2009

Procurex Scotland 2009, supported by the Scottish Government, offers both visitors and exhibitors a unique opportunity to network and meet with Scotland’s buying community.

20 August 2009

Save water with Business Stream's water performance event

Business Stream are holding two water saving events in October.

19 August 2009

Area-based drainage charges – what it means for you

The Scottish Government has decided to defer the introduction of area-based drainage charges.

For the time being, drainage charges for business customers will continue to be based on the rateable value of the property.

11 August 2009

Be aware – bogus telephone calls

We are aware of bogus callers contacting customers by phone and demanding payment and threatening immediate disconnection.

Whilst we sometimes do contact customers to follow up on outstanding payments we will not threaten with immediate disconnection and we will go through a number of steps to give you peace of mind that you’re speaking to a Business Stream employee.

When we call you, the first thing we will do is check we’re speaking to the right person, just in case we’ve got your number down incorrectly or you have lost your phone.

6 August 2009

Business Stream supports public sector conference

Business Stream is proud to support Holyrood's 2009 Greening the Public Sector conference on 28 September.

17 July 2009

Save water with Water Saving Week 2009

Water saving week 2009 offers practical advice on how to save water and runs from 17-23 July 2009. As the leading supplier of water and waste water services in Scotland, Business Stream is also here to help.

Less than 1% of the earth’s fresh water can be safely consumed by humans. Even here in Scotland, an abundant supply of water isn’t guaranteed, as rainfall has become unreliable and unpredictable. We all need to find ways to use less of this precious natural resource.

10 July 2009

Uig Pottery wins free water with eBilling

We launched a competition earlier this year for businesses that did their bit for the environment by joining our new paperless eBilling service.

29 June 2009

New office, new technology

As part of the office relocation project, Business Stream is considering its options for office telephony.

We have drafted our requirements and will be tendering for the delivery of a telephone solution that is suited to our business needs. Telephony solution providers with appropriate experience in the Utility sector should register their interest with Business Stream by emailing procurement@business-stream.co.uk by 5pm on Friday 17 July 2009.

17 June 2009

Relocation of Business Stream

Business Stream will be relocating soon to new offices.

As part of the move process we will be tendering both the office fit-out and furniture contracts. The new office will be located in Edinburgh, extend to approx 1,900 sqm and house up to 200 staff. Suppliers with appropriate experience should register interest with Thomas & Adamson (contact Ann MacLean at ann.maclean@thomasandadamson.com) by 5.00pm on Wednesday 24 June 2009.

17 June 2009

Business Stream short listed in UK wide awards

Business Stream short listed for internal marketing and best new brand at the Marketing Society Golden Jubilee awards.

The Marketing Society awards were presented on Monday, 8 June, in London, and Business Stream was in the running for two awards – internal marketing and best new brand. There were some big names and stiff competition for these awards, with nominees including the BBC, McDonalds, and Sainsbury’s.

11 June 2009

Drinking water in Dundee – Scottish Water statement

Scottish Water has reassured customers in the Dundee, Monifieth and Carse of Gowie areas should continue to use drinking water as normal.

If you’re served by Clatto water treatment works near Dundee you may have noticed an unusual taste in your tap water.

Scottish Water is investigating the cause and has confirmed that the water meets all the relevant criteria for drinking water and is safe to drink.

2 June 2009

Water 2009 – Future challenges

This October sees the UK’s water sector meeting in London to discuss the future challenges and opportunities facing them in this tough economic climate.

PR09 (Ofwat’s wholesale price review for the next five years) and the affects it will have on the industry’s ability to maintain a sustainable service will be a hot topic of discussion along with competition and the success seen in Scotland to date.

2 June 2009

Notice of application for a water supply licence under section 17A of the Water Industry Act 1991

Scottish Water Business Stream Limited (trading as Business Stream), whose registered office is at 55 Buckstone Terrace, Edinburgh, EH10 6XH, gives notice that it has made an application to the Office of Water Services (“Ofwat”) for a retail licence under section 17A of the Water Industry Act 1991.

Any person who wishes to make representations or objections with respect to the application should do so in writing (which includes by e-mail) to Ofwat at:

12 May 2009

National Business Awards recognise Business Stream

As Scotland’s leading retailer of water and waste water to businesses, we pride ourselves on our ability to deliver for our customers.

5 May 2009

eBilling - view your water and waste water bills online

Manage your account online at a time that suits you and cut down on paperwork.

We've just launched our free eBilling service. With eBilling you can choose when and where you manage your water bills, so you can fit it around your working day. It's the convenient way to cut down on paperwork and get on with running your business.

eBilling automatically stores all your bills together, so you can easily keep track of your water costs. And there's more:

10 March 2009

Water and waste water charges for 2009/10

Our new charges for 2009/10 are 1.5% below inflation on average and take effect from 1 April 2009.

Charges for water and waste water services are renewed on 1 April every year, and are issued and approved by the industry regulator, the Water Industry Commission for Scotland. You can see all of the new charges all of our services by clicking here, so you’ll know what to expect on your next bill.

2 March 2009

New and improved water and waste water connection forms

Following consultation with property developers we have completely transformed our water and waste water connection forms.

12 February 2009

Veolia Water Nevis signs supply agreement for water and waste water supply

Veolia Water Nevis Limited, a division of Veolia Water Outsourcing Limited, signed a 3 year water and waste water supply contract with Business Stream. Business Stream will continue to supply water and waste water service to Veolia Water Nevis assets across the majority of Ministry of Defence (MOD) sites in Scotland.

L-R Nigel Earnshaw (Veolia Water Scotland Director), Chris Chijiutomi (Veolia Water Nevis) and Mark Powles (Business Stream)

6 December 2008

Protecting your business in winter

With the winter chill fast approaching now is the time to take some simple steps to help avoid your pipes from bursting or freezing.

step 1 – heat

The best possible protection for your pipes is to keep them warm. Keep your heating on low, especially when you close your business for the holidays.

step 2 – insulate

26 November 2008

Update on Scottish Water strike action

The strike is between Scottish Water and their employees and does not affect Business Stream employees.

As the market wholesaler Scottish Water is our largest supplier so we are working with them to ensure that the impact on our customers is minimised. At this time Scottish Water do not expect there to be any impact on service but we are continuing to monitor the situation.

7 November 2008

A swift response to Diageo’s needs

As part of Business Stream's value added services we provide 24/7 emergency cover.

When Port Dundas Distillery, owned by premium drinks manufacturer Diageo, found it was losing water supply as a result of the burst of a large water mains pipe serving most of South and Central Glasgow the decision was taken to shut down production.

31 October 2008

We’ve been shortlisted for an IT Oscar!

Business Stream, Scotland's leading water and waste water sercice supplier, has been shortlisted for an award at the 16th Annual Computing Awards for the company with the Best Small Business IT Strategy.

27 October 2008

Making water work for you

With things becoming financially tight for everyone, we are all increasingly focused on working efficiently and cost effectively. The public sector is no exception and to help achieve this our Head of Sales and Marketing, Tony McHardy, will be speaking to attendees of the Public Sector Budgets 2009 Conference.

13 October 2008

How we handled an emergency

When a large water mains pipe serving most of South and Central Glasgow burst on Wednesday the 24th of September 2008, it resulted in many of the area’s businesses and households either losing their water supply or having their water pressure significantly reduced. As soon as we learned about the burst an incident team was instantly set up to start alerting our customers of the problem and help them respond to any specific needs they might have as a result.

25 September 2008

Business Stream won Business Performance of the Year at the European Utility Awards!

The European Utility Awards have been running since 2005 and were formed to celebrate examples of high-performance within the utility industry.

29 August 2008

Increase efficiency with lower water consumption

Our smart metering technology helps cut costs & reduce your carbon footprint

By making use of our innovative smart metering service it’s possible to increase your water efficiency by reducing water usage and lowering waste water production. Our water efficiency experts can work with you to help you understand how you use water, reducing the amount you pay and your carbon footprint.

9 June 2008

Get recognised - VIBES 2008

Business Stream is proud to be supporting VIBES 2008. The Vision In Business for the Environment awards recognise companies that are taking significant steps to improve or reduce their impact on the environment, saving money in the process. The main aims of the awards are to:

19 May 2008

Business Stream wins its first marketing award

Business Stream was recently awarded with a prestigious Marketing Society for Scotland award for best internal marketing. The Marketing Society Awards recognise the best of the best strategic marketing across Scotland and aim to encourage a greater understanding and appreciation of marketing excellence.

As well as recognising the internal launch of Business Stream’s new brand this award also highlights how Business Stream employees have embraced the fresh, dynamic and commercially focused working culture of the business.

31 March 2008

Innovation and new services introduced as business water market opens to competition

Business customers are benefiting from a number of new innovative products and services as Scotland’s £340million non domestic water market opens to competition.

7 March 2008

Spotlight – a great success!

Business Stream’s Spotlight conference targeted at major water users received positive feedback with attendance numbers up on previous years.

Held on the 26 February at Scotland’s national football stadium Hampden, over 100 of Business Stream’s customers attended the conference. The event kicked off at mid-day with a networking lunch and tours of Hampden stadium where delegates got to experience how a truly world-class stadium operates on a daily basis as well as view the Business Stream brand on the large scoreboards.

6 December 2007

Business Stream applies for its permanent water and sewerage licences

On 19 November 2007, Business Stream submitted its permanent water services and sewerage services licence applications to the Commission.

These have been reviewed and we have received confirmation from the Commission that it is minded to propose to grant us the licences.

We have today published in the Times the following notice:

29 November 2007

Business Stream unveils new website

To coincide with the new brand, we’re also launching our new website. It’s a great example of how we’re making it easier for our customers to do business with us.

There’s information on all the services we offer, helpful hints on how to use water more efficiently and downloadable versions of our easy-to-read guides.

And we’re also thinking ahead. Soon customers will be able to update their details, submit a meter reading or make a payment whenever they need to, without having to call us.

29 November 2007

Business Stream launches new brand

Although still part of the Scottish Water group, Business Stream now operates totally independently. So we’ve taken the opportunity to create a new brand; one that reflects our ambition to remain first choice for businesses when the market opens in 2008.

We aim to provide the most responsive and dependable service we can. Plus, of course, we can offer the benefit of our industry knowledge and experience.