Surface Water Drainage : how to prove

bob_a_builder

On another thread the subject of not paying for Surface Water Drainage was raised

"An even more disgraceful and widespread situation than the assessed charge, is the ‘default position’ where all properties(on RV or Meter charges) are charged for Surface Water Drainage(SWD). Many, probably millions, simply are not aware that they should not be paying this charge as none of their surface water enters the sewer. Properties built in the last 30 years were not allowed to have water enter sewers(except in very rare cases) but they are still automatically charged for SWD

Customers not only have to be aware of this unfair charge, but apply for exemption and prove that their water does not enter a sewer."

So how can we check this for ourselves

Although our Thames water bill (metered) only lists 2 charges
: "water" and wastewater"

tightrs

i did not have to prove it( but they did threaten to come out and check) with yorkshire water . i was fine about this as my rainwater drains into soakaways but i have no idea if they did check.

moonrakerz

tightrs wrote: »

i did not have to prove it( but they did threaten to come out and check) with yorkshire water

Likewise with Wessex Water, but I do also have some drawings of the house/plot showing the feeds to the soakaway.

Cardew

bob_a_builder wrote: »

On another thread the subject of not paying for Surface Water Drainage was raised

"An even more disgraceful and widespread situation than the assessed charge, is the ‘default position’ where all properties(on RV or Meter charges) are charged for Surface Water Drainage(SWD). Many, probably millions, simply are not aware that they should not be paying this charge as none of their surface water enters the sewer. Properties built in the last 30 years were not allowed to have water enter sewers(except in very rare cases) but they are still automatically charged for SWD

Customers not only have to be aware of this unfair charge, but apply for exemption and prove that their water does not enter a sewer."

So how can we check this for ourselves

Although our Thames water bill (metered) only lists 2 charges
: "water" and wastewater"

Some water companies have 2 rates for Waste Water, one for 'normal' and the other higher rate where water does enter the sewer.

Others have a fixed charge for flat/tce, semi and detached.

For instance with Severn Trent on RV charges the sewerage rates (2008/9) per £1 RV for my area are 61.87p or 97.59p.

If metered the annual rates for SWD are £26.49/£53.11/£79.60 for flat/tce, semi and detached.

If on RV charges you can elect to have the fixed charge if you wish and for most people this is cheaper.

It also has been reported on here that even though an exemption for SWD has been established, this charge has been restored on change of account holder or fitting of a meter. I can only surmise this is a mistake, but worth looking watching.

As for proving where your soakaway is situated, I am certain that you know exactly where the builder/previous occupant told you it was in your garden(;)) Put an X on the sketch and let them disprove!!

bob_a_builder

Ah - just looked at small print of back of the bill ( theres a first)

"if surface water from your property does not drain to our sewers, you may be able to claim a reduction of £10.16 for this bill. for more details please visit https://www.thameswater.co.uk/swd"

bill is a 6 monthly metered one - so only £20 a year from Thames rather than the £80 mentioned earlier it seems

heres an ofwat doc on the subject - LINK

Properties built in the last 30 years were not allowed to have water enter sewers

Not found a specific link for this, mainly the opposite so far in fact e.g.
DOC here ( page 2 says "w(h)ere possible suface water should be taken to the main sewer" - thats for Swale
Plus some of the waters co's sites also refer to run off and lots of us have drives etc where the water will drain into the road ( and so the sewers ?)