Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Mr H on March 01, 2008, 10:39:12 am
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ALL water companies MUST rebate ALL customers who have water from their roof or land that does NOT go in to a sewer. So if you are rainwater harvesting or even just using a water butt for the garden then you are entitled by LAW to a rebate. The following is from OFWAT themselves.
http://www.ofwat.gov.uk/aptrix/ofwat/publish.nsf/AttachmentsByTitle/surface_water_drain.doc/$FILE/surface_water_drain.doc
Also check out:-
http://www.ofwat.gov.uk/aptrix/ofwat/publish.nsf/Content/navigation-search(ofwat)?OpenDocument&QUERY=surface+water+drainage+rebate
AND
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=581585
Surface water drainage: Questions and answers
What is surface water?
Surface water is rainwater that falls onto a property or water that drains to the public sewer from such activities as car washing.
What is the surface water drainage charge for?
The surface water drainage charge covers the costs of taking away and treating surface water that runs from properties into a sewerage company’s drains. This includes water that flows through gutters or which runs into the road and ends up in a company owned sewer.
Do I have to pay the surface water drainage charge?
If any surface water from your property enters into a public sewer then you will have to pay the charge. If surface water does not enter a public sewer then you may qualify for a reduction in your charge. You should make an application to the company concerned providing evidence that none of your surface water enters the public sewer. Your company should explain the kind of evidence that it would need to see. They will check whether you qualify and if you do, you will not be charged for this on future bills. The companies will also give you a rebate for any surface water drainage charges paid within the current charging year.
Why can't the surface water drainage rebate be backdated?
There is no legal obligation for companies to backdate any rebate of charges beyond the current charging year. In fact the Water Industry Act of does not prevent companies from charging for surface water drainage even where customers do not receive the service. Nevertheless, following a requirement from Ofwat, all companies have provided rebates for non-connection since April 2001.
We think it’s right that companies should not pay rebates retrospectively past the current charging year. Surface water drainage costs have historically been shared between all customers. As a result of offering the rebate to those not connected, other customers must pay slightly higher charges to recover the total costs of surface water. If rebates were applied retrospectively therefore, this would mean corresponding retrospective increases in charges to connected customers, who had previously paid too little for the surface water drainage service. This would be neither practicable nor desirable. Companies must ensure that this information is included in the billing literature sent with the customer’s bill.
Why do I need to apply for a rebate?
At the time of privatisation in 1989, water and sewerage companies were sold with poorly kept records of the water and sewerage infrastructures. The records did not show which properties are connected and which are not for surface water drainage purposes. It is therefore the customer’s responsibility to inform the water company if they do not receive the surface water drainage service.