Almost all my surface water goes into a dyke

lancasterchelsea

I live in a village near Lancaster.... United Utilities
My wastewater/sewerage rateable value charge is £293.12 out of total bill of £510.74. But only a very small roof area drains into the public drains. About 99% (can work it out on surface area) goes into the sewers. In fact in about a day I could re-route the one drain pipe so that none goes in the sewer. We have 5 acres of land (which was in our rateable value) which all goes into the dyke. Of the bungalow area only about 10% goes in the sewer, all the rest into the dyke. 2 people live in the bungalow
What's the best way to get my charges down.
If I have no surface water going into dyke what would I pay
Are any savings retrospective.... we have lived here since 1981
any help would be appreciated... thanks

Cardew

Savings are not retrospective.

Surface water drainage only accounts for a small part of your total charges and is normally a separate charge from sewerage if you are metered, or a higher charge if you have a bill based on RV.

The majority of your sewerage charge is for waste water from toilets(together with contents!) baths basins etc. If you can prove that less than 90% of your received water goes into sewers you can get a reduction in your sewerage charge.

lancasterchelsea

erratum......"About 99% (can work it out on surface area) goes into the sewers".
correction......99% goes into the dyke

lancasterchelsea

we have plenty of taps outside (about 50%) where the water ends up in the dyke. We have stables and 4 horses. Most of our water ends up through the horses and sprayed all over the field.

teddyco

lancasterchelsea,
I just received a discount for 'surface water drainage' for my father-in-law who lives in a small flat that has a 'soak-away'. All his roof water drains into the ground and not the sewer, and he was eligible for a discount.

You should contact the company that provides your sewerage services and report this to them. If you can prove to them that a large portion of your water is used for gardening and horses and does not go into the sewers, then you are eligible for a reduction in your sewer bill.

Funny how that's always our responsibility and they don't tell people these things!

lancasterchelsea

I've checked my surface water carefully, and none goes into the sewers
it all goes in the dyke. I've sent off a claim to United Utilities
Is it possible to backclaim.... we've lived here for 26 years
next I am looking into the water usage situation..... because less than half all our water used goes back through the sewer........ half goes onto our land

Lorian

lancasterchelsea wrote: »

I've checked my surface water carefully, and none goes into the sewers
it all goes in the dyke. I've sent off a claim to United Utilities
Is it possible to backclaim.... we've lived here for 26 years
next I am looking into the water usage situation..... because less than half all our water used goes back through the sewer........ half goes onto our land

I back-claimed (IIRC) 4 years worth of surface water drainage. It was a new house and we hadn't realised all surface water went to soakaways and a stream. I guess (but dont know) you can only claim back until surface water was shown as a sepate line on the bill.

lancasterchelsea

got letter today from united utilities
"we recently inspected........ you are not connected to public sewer
charges are reduced as from 1st April 2007........ " what a very apt date
"will send new bill"

so for 26 years I have been paying for something I have never received, and they didn't bother to tell me. Aren't public utility monopolies wonderful

I know I am wasting my time but will ask Ofwat about going further back for refund...... I have been happily paying over £13k at today's prices for services I don't use. If I wasn't married I would install water collection (I've got 5 acres of land and enough buildings/roofs to collect all the water we need)..... My lovely wife wouldn't let me

Cardew

lancasterchelsea wrote: »

got letter today from united utilities
"we recently inspected........ you are not connected to public sewer
charges are reduced as from 1st April 2007........ " what a very apt date
"will send new bill"

so for 26 years I have been paying for something I have never received, and they didn't bother to tell me. Aren't public utility monopolies wonderful

I know I am wasting my time but will ask Ofwat about going further back for refund...... I have been happily paying over £13k at today's prices for services I don't use. If I wasn't married I would install water collection (I've got 5 acres of land and enough buildings/roofs to collect all the water we need)..... My lovely wife wouldn't let me

See last post here:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=192960&page=5

If Thames water can .......

lancasterchelsea

thanks very much for your help Cardew (certainly not cardew the Cad)
will try United Utilities back to 2000 and post the result