Water Rebate
Water Rebate For Surface Water Drainage
Most rainwater falling on properties drains into public sewers owned by the ten water and sewerage companies. The companies are responsible for removing and processing this rainwater. If rainwater drains from your property into a public sewer, you will be charged for surface water drainage through your sewerage bill.
You Will Pay For Surface Water Drainage In Your Bill In One Of Four Ways:
- A Fee In The Standing Charge
- A Charge Based On The Rateable Value Of The Property
- As Part Of The Volumetric Rate
- A Charge Based On The Site Area Of Your Property
If you can prove that the surface rainwater from your property does not drain into a public sewer, you may be entitled to an exemption from future water charges and could claim a partial refund for the money that you have previously paid towards these charges.
Leakage Allowance
Leakage is treated water lost from the distribution system. An allowance due to a leak between the meter and the property boundary where the meter is located outside the property boundary can be considered. If a difference is noticed in the average daily consumption, you might be able to apply for a leak allowance.
Return To Sewer
After reviewing various water contracts across different organisations, we have found that billing and consumption are often indifferent.
This is due to suppliers assuming, without evidence, that a large proportion of the water inputted to an organisation returns to the sewer. It is the best interest of the supplier to assume a higher amount, therefore, the term Return To Sewer (RTS) allowance was coined.
Most sewerage wholesalers apply a default Return to Sewer (RTS) figure of between 90- 95% to their metered sewerage volume charges. This has the effect of automatically applying an allowance of between 5 to 10% in anticipation that not all water used by measured customers’ returns to sewer.
In cases where less than 90 to 95% is returned to the sewer, a business may be eligible for a refund due to overpayment. This can be common, especially within Care Homes due to the efficiency on operational costs, usage, and waste. There can be various reasons as to why a business would return less water to the sewer, however the most common are detailed beneath:
In cases where less than 90 to 95% is returned to the sewer, a business may be eligible for a refund due to overpayment. This can be common, especially within Care Homes due to the efficiency on operational costs, usage, and waste. There can be various reasons as to why a business would return less water to the sewer, however the most common are detailed beneath:
- Evaporation (e.g. boiler, cooling towers, heated swimming pools, launderette)
- Irrigation (e.g. garden centre/golf club/football club)
- Removed off site (e.g. swimming pool bathers’ costumes & towels; tropical fish shop; disposal off-site due to interceptor or tank cleaning)
- Added to a product (e.g. cement works, bakery, food & drink manufacture, Livestock farms)
