Question:
I live in a village near Lancaster.... United Utilities
My wastewater/sewerage rateable value charge is £293.12 out of total bill of £510.74. But only a very small roof area drains into the public drains. About 99% (can work it out on surface area) goes into the sewers. In fact in about a day I could re-route the one drain pipe so that none goes in the sewer. We have 5 acres of land (which was in our rateable value) which all goes into the dyke. Of the bungalow area only about 10% goes in the sewer, all the rest into the dyke. 2 people live in the bungalow
What's the best way to get my charges down.
If I have no surface water going into dyke what would I pay
Are any savings retrospective.... we have lived here since 1981
any help would be appreciated... thanks
Answers:
Savings are not retrospective.
Surface water drainage only accounts for a small part of your total charges and is normally a separate charge from sewerage if you are metered, or a higher charge if you have a bill based on RV.
The majority of your sewerage charge is for waste water from toilets(together with contents!) baths basins etc. If you can prove that less than 90% of your received water goes into sewers you can get a reduction in your sewerage charge.
Answers:
erratum......"About 99% (can work it out on surface area) goes into the sewers".
correction......99% goes into the dyke
Answers:
we have plenty of taps outside (about 50%) where the water ends up in the dyke. We have stables and 4 horses. Most of our water ends up through the horses and sprayed all over the field.
Answers:
lancasterchelsea,
I just received a discount for 'surface water drainage' for my father-in-law who lives in a small flat that has a 'soak-away'. All his roof water drains into the ground and not the sewer, and he was eligible for a discount.
You should contact the company that provides your sewerage services and report this to them. If you can prove to them that a large portion of your water is used for gardening and horses and does not go into the sewers, then you are eligible for a reduction in your sewer bill.
Funny how that's always our responsibility and they don't tell people these things!
Answers:
I've checked my surface water carefully, and none goes into the sewers
it all goes in the dyke. I've sent off a claim to United Utilities
Is it possible to backclaim.... we've lived here for 26 years
next I am looking into the water usage situation..... because less than half all our water used goes back through the sewer........ half goes onto our land
Answers:
I've checked my surface water carefully, and none goes into the sewers
it all goes in the dyke. I've sent off a claim to United Utilities
Is it possible to backclaim.... we've lived here for 26 years
next I am looking into the water usage situation..... because less than half all our water used goes back through the sewer........ half goes onto our land
I back-claimed (IIRC) 4 years worth of surface water drainage. It was a new house and we hadn't realised all surface water went to soakaways and a stream. I guess (but dont know) you can only claim back until surface water was shown as a sepate line on the bill.