Soakaways reducing water bills?

richyrichard

Hi all
Someone told me recently that they got money off their water bill because their drainpipes flow to a soakaway rather than the sewer system. Is this right? Whats the deal?

Many thanks

victor2

See what your water company say.
For example, this is from Severn Trent:
https://www.stwater.co.uk/my-supplies/waste-water-and-sewers/surface-water-drainage/

ali-t

I have a soakaway linked to my septic tank and don't pay any sewage fees on my council tax but still pay full water. I would be interested in paying less for water too.

matelodave

ali-t wrote: »

I have a soakaway linked to my septic tank and don't pay any sewage fees on my council tax but still pay full water. I would be interested in paying less for water too.

Get a meter fitted and then you only pay for what you use - use less and you pay less. Simples

Cardew

ali-t wrote: »

I have a soakaway linked to my septic tank and don't pay any sewage fees on my council tax but still pay full water. I would be interested in paying less for water too.

In referring to 'water bills' I believe the OP means 'water & sewerage bills'.

All of the water companies offer a reduction off the full sewerage charge if 'surface water'(from gutters and land) does not enter the sewer system. This normally means water going to a soakaway, but can mean going into a stream etc.

As you are not on mains drainage - it doesn't apply to your dwelling.

All of the water companies have adopted different methods of rebating properties.

Robisere

I received my first rebate for this 8 years ago, after reading about it somewhere I cannot recall. All of the 23 bungalows in our Close, and many of the homes in our village, have soakaways, added to which I have two water Butts which take most of the runoff water from the downpipes*. I must have accrued a significant total saving over the last 8 years, but I also used the local community hall publication to make everyone else aware of the link to obtain a PDF form to apply for a reduction. I must have cost the Water Company £1,000's by now!

* Water butts alone, even if every downpipe is connected to them, will not earn a full reduction/rebate. They are fitted to the downpipe in such a way as to bypass the butts when they are full, and the excess goes into the drain. Which means that a rebate is only possible if the excess goes into soakaway drains.

ali-t

Cardew wrote: »

In referring to 'water bills' I believe the OP means 'water & sewerage bills'.

All of the water companies offer a reduction off the full sewerage charge if 'surface water'(from gutters and land) does not enter the sewer system. This normally means water going to a soakaway, but can mean going into a stream etc.

As you are not on mains drainage - it doesn't apply to your dwelling.

All of the water companies have adopted different methods of rebating properties.

Thanks, that makes sense Cardew.

richyrichard

Thanks all. I will look into it