United utilities water refund help

kpearsoncj

Hi just recieved a letter saying were due £200 approx as when our estate was built they were meant to take away surface water. But it was never applied under there control.

Does anyone know if that means im going to get a bill from someone else as looked on web and it says every one gets charged compulsory.

Cardew

The Water Act made the 'default' position, for all water companies, to be that properties were charged for Surface Water Drainage(SWD) and individuals had to claim relief from this charge if none of their surface water(gutters etc) entered the sewerage system.


Few estates built in the last 20 years or so would have got planning permission if surface water was allowed to enter the sewers, but despite this SWD was still charged.


However there has now been a change in policy and if the water company should have reasonably known that SWD should not have been charged, then they should stop the charge and give a rebate. This rebate is usually for 6 years if the property has been built that long.

kpearsoncj

does that mean that no one is responsible - i was just trying to find out if i am going to get billed by someone else?

Cardew

Responsible for what?


There are two elements of a sewerage charge. The water from sinks/baths/toilets etc and SWD


Your Surface Water presumably doesn't enter the sewerage system, so you shouldn't have been charged for SWD and are getting a rebate.