Surface Water Drainage

Look for a manhole (woman)? near the edge of your property, then buy some water soluble dye from a builders merchant and get someone to pour the dye into a gully that is fed by one of your downpipes while you keep an eye on what passes through the manhole.

I live in 3 year old apt block, how would I check?

Thanks in advance

hazeyj wrote:

I live in 3 year old apt block, how would I check?

Thanks in advance

It is almost certain your block will not have surface water draining into the sewer as it has not been allowed for many years(except in exceptional cases) and they wouldn't have got planning permission.

If the water from the ground/gardens of your block runs onto a public highway(again not normally allowed) you also can't claim back.

As a first step I would write to the Water company, and simply say you have taken advice and found that your surface water from your 3 year old apartment does not run into a sewer.

They are unlikely to challenge this, but if they do - so what? They might come and check or they might get you to produce evidence. Face that situation if it arises.

marie_hc wrote:

Weve not long moved, we've had our 1st six month bill, here it is.

used water 60.04
water standing charge 10.32
used water 40.42
used water charge 5.33
unmeasrured surface water
rainwater down pipes 50.30


YES £50.30

I phone severn trent and asked why it was so high.

Answer quote "If you want to complain I can give you the address" end quote.

I couldn't get the person on the other end of the phone to answer any question I asked he didn't know anything.

On their tariffs online they say annual charge for unmeasured surface water is £71.76. He couldn't answer that either.

I'm getting fed up of spending time like this, There is no one to call to ask this simple question so where do you go?????

I think I can answer your query.

If you are in a detached house, you have correctly looked up the surface drainage charge of £71.76p pa.

However what you haven't noticed is that charge of £71.76 is not an automatic charge and you have to elect for that charge. The actual wording says:

"If you are currently paying for property surface water based on the rateable value, you can choose to switch to this fixed charge" i.e. the £71.76

So although you are on a meter you are still paying for surface water drainage based on your Rateable Value. That is assessed at between 22.78p and 30.53p per £1 of Rateable Value depending on which of the 8 Severn Trent charging zones in which you live.

Nearly every property would be better off on th fixed charge, but there are some old properties with a very low RV that would not.

Of course they should make it clear to customers - but hey some of us have shares in the company;)

So you need to call them and elect for the fixed charge of £71.76 and with luck they will backdate it.

I am surprised the person you spoke to didn't know about this; just can't get the staff these days!!

ps How do I find out if we are on a soak away, our house was built 20 years ago??