Surface water drainage charges

explainthistome

Hi everyone! I'd be very grateful for the advice of you experts in relation to my situation.  Sorry as I know there are lots of posts already on this but I can't see anything on this particular point. 

We moved into a new build property last year and the surface water on our estate drains into an attenuation pond which then feeds into a brook. To date we've been receiving a discount from UU for the fact that our surface water doesn't enter the public sewer system. However, UU now say that they have adopted the pipes that take the water to the attenuation pond and therefore will be reinstating that charge because they now own the pipes, irrespective of the fact that the surface water still doesn't drain into the public sewer. 

Does anyone know if this is correct? I've challenged them and they fully accept that the surface water doesn't enter their system, but say that the charges are correct because they now adopted the pipes. 

Whilst I appreciate they will now be responsible for maintaining these pipes, I'm struggling to understand how it can be that they can levy the same charges as if they were having to take action to treat and otherwise deal with the surface water when they aren't. 

Thanks so much in advance! 

molerat

You are paying for using the pipes and system which does require maintenance.  These are often owned and maintained by the estate management organisation and included in the annual maintenance charges but the water co have now adopted them so you need to pay them instead, you would still be paying one way or another.  At least if the system requires major work you won't have to foot the bill.