Water as a Service
We build, own and operate your borehole water supply. You pay per cubic metre — significantly less than mains — with minimal upfront investment and no operational burden.
Your own water supply, without the complexity
Water as a Service is a fully managed water supply model for organisations consuming 80m³ per day or more. Instead of purchasing and operating your own borehole infrastructure, Nicholls handles everything — from drilling and licensing to filtration, monitoring and ongoing maintenance.
You receive a reliable, high-quality water supply at a per-cubic-metre rate significantly below mains water charges. With only a small customer contribution towards initial setup, the majority of capital investment is ours. There is no operational burden and no need to manage Environment Agency licensing or compliance. Mains water remains connected as a backup supply at all times.
Simple pricing: A monthly charge based on volume consumed, with a minimum monthly commitment. No hidden costs, minimal upfront contribution, no surprise maintenance bills.
Why WaaS?
Significant cost savings
Borehole water delivered at a meaningful discount to your current mains tariff. The more you consume, the greater the saving.
Minimal capital investment
Nicholls funds the vast majority of the infrastructure. A small customer contribution is required, but it is a fraction of the cost of building your own supply.
No operational burden
Nicholls manages the borehole, pumps, treatment systems, EA compliance and servicing. Your team focuses on your core business.
Supply resilience
An independent water source alongside your mains connection. If mains supply is disrupted or restricted, your borehole keeps running.
Environmental credentials
Borehole water has a significantly lower carbon footprint than treated mains water. Strengthen your sustainability reporting.
How it works
From feasibility to flowing water — we manage the entire process under a single contract.
Feasibility & site assessment
We assess the geology, hydrology and EA licensing landscape for your site. This determines yield potential, water quality expectations and the regulatory pathway — at no cost to you.
EA licensing & approvals
Our in-house Licensing & Consulting division handles the full abstraction licence application with the Environment Agency, including any required hydrogeological assessments and pump testing.
Drilling & infrastructure
We drill the borehole, install the pump, build the headworks and fit all filtration and treatment systems. Equipment is specified to your volume and quality requirements.
Commissioning & connection
The borehole supply is connected to your site distribution, tested for quality and flow, and commissioned. Mains backup is verified and switchover procedures are documented.
Ongoing operation & maintenance
Our Service & Maintenance division monitors the system, manages water quality testing, services equipment on schedule, and handles all EA compliance reporting. You receive a monthly invoice based on volume consumed.
Mains water vs Water as a Service
Mains Water
- —Full mains tariff per m³
- —Subject to water company price rises
- —Single point of supply
- —No upfront investment
- —No operational involvement
- —Treated & regulated supply
Water as a Service
- ✓Significant discount vs mains tariff
- ✓Fixed-rate contract — predictable costs
- ✓Dual supply: borehole + mains backup
- ✓Minimal upfront contribution
- ✓Fully managed by Nicholls
- ✓Filtered & tested to your specification
Who is WaaS for?
Any organisation consuming 80m³ per day or more from mains water. Common sectors include:
Data Centres
Cooling tower make-up water at scale. Reduce WUE costs while maintaining mains as backup.
Learn more →Agriculture & Horticulture
Large-scale irrigation, livestock watering and processing water for farms and nurseries.
Learn more →Commercial Estates
Business parks, hospitals, hotels and leisure facilities with high daily water consumption.
Learn more →Manufacturing & Processing
Food & beverage, pharmaceutical, concrete batching and industrial process water.
Sports & Leisure
Golf courses, sports grounds and leisure complexes with significant irrigation needs.
Cold Storage & Logistics
Cooling and refrigeration systems for warehousing and distribution centres.
Why Nicholls for Water as a Service?
Three divisions, one supplier
Licensing, drilling and servicing are all handled in-house. No subcontractors, no finger-pointing, one point of contact.
EA licensing expertise
Our Licensing & Consulting division has a proven track record with the Environment Agency — critical for abstractions above 20m³/day.
4,000+ boreholes drilled
Over 20 years of drilling experience across every geology in the South East. We know what works where.
Dedicated service team
Our Service & Maintenance division provides ongoing monitoring, testing and emergency response — not a bolt-on, a core division.
Proven at scale
We already supply high-volume commercial clients with managed water infrastructure, filtration systems and long-term service agreements.
Full compliance included
EA reporting, water quality testing, pump maintenance schedules and licence compliance are all part of the service — nothing falls through the cracks.
Common questions
What volume do I need to qualify?
WaaS is designed for sites consuming 80 cubic metres per day or more. This is roughly equivalent to the daily water use of a mid-size commercial building or a small data centre cooling system.
Do I need to arrange my own EA licence?
No. Our Licensing & Consulting division handles the entire application process with the Environment Agency, including hydrogeological assessments, pump testing and ongoing compliance.
What happens if the borehole fails or needs maintenance?
Mains water remains connected as a backup supply at all times. Our Service & Maintenance team monitors the system and responds to any issues. Equipment maintenance and replacement are included in the service.
How long does it take to set up?
Timescales depend primarily on the EA licensing process, which can take 3–12 months depending on complexity. Drilling and installation typically take 2–4 weeks once approvals are in place.
Who owns the borehole?
Nicholls builds, owns and operates the borehole infrastructure for the duration of the contract. You benefit from the water supply without the ownership burden.
What about water quality?
All WaaS installations include filtration and treatment systems specified to your requirements — whether that’s potable standard, process water or cooling make-up. Regular water quality testing is included.
Interested in Water as a Service?
We\u2019ll assess your site, estimate potential savings against mains, and outline a proposal \u2014 at no cost and no obligation.