Surface water drainage

If you can show that none of the surface water from your property drains to the public sewerage system, either directly or through intermediate sewers or drains, you can reduce the fixed sewerage charge part of your bill.

Please read the following, which may help you determine if you qualify for the lower charge and apply if so.

What is surface water?

Surface water is the rain or melted snow that drains from the roof of your property and other surfaces, like driveways, that don't allow water to pass through. It normally flows into a highway drain or a road gulley and then into our sewers, but in some cases the surface water drains into a soakaway in the garden. Surface water could also drain into a river, a reed bed or a private pond.

What is soakaway and do I have one?

This is an area of absorbent ground that surface water drains into. It isn't visible and there are no obvious signs water from your property is taking this route, so you may need to check your properties Title Deeds or look at your original Planning Application, held by your local authority (if available).

Are there any exclusions?

Water butts do not qualify for a reduction in surface water charges as they can only hold a fixed amount of water that falls from the roof of the property, they do not collect the rain water landing around your property e.g. a driveway or garden. When full they overflow, this along with the water from the driveway would flow into a drain or a road gulley and then into our sewers.

If I’m not connected to your sewerage service, can I reduce the charge?

No, if you’re not connected for sewerage, then you are already not being charged for surface water.

What if I’m charged by a different water company for my sewerage charges?

You might see on your bill that we collect the sewerage charges on behalf of another water company. If this is the case, you’ll need to contact your sewerage company directly to apply for the reduction and they will advise of any changes to be applied to your bills.

How will the discount show on my bill?

Any amended and future bills will display as ‘foul only’ instead of ‘foul and surface’ in the sewerage section of your bill.

Can you backdate the discount?

For new applications, all accounts that qualify for a surface water reduction will be backdated to the start of the financial year 6 years prior to the account being updated, or to the start of your occupation, whichever is the latest.

What if my application fails?

If your application has failed this normally means that it there is not enough evidence to suggest you’re eligible for a reduced sewerage charge. If you have further evidence or require another review then please contact us. In some circumstances we may visit your property to investigate further.

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Surface water drainage