Surface water is the rainwater that’s collected from your drains and gutters. If it wasn’t removed, it could cause damage to your home, your paths and driveways. So we take it into our sewers and treat it to make sure it's safe to be used again. We charge for this treatment but, if your water doesn't go into a public sewer, you maybe eligible for a refund. It all depends on whether your drains are connected to a public sewer or not.
Can I get a rebate?
Yes
If your home’s surface water does not flow into a public sewer, you can apply for a rebate on your surface water drainage charge.
No
You're not eligible for a rebate if:
- your home is part of a building with a shared roof, such as a flat, and it’s connected to the public sewer
- you collect rainwater at your home (for instance, in a water butt) and any water used from it eventually finds its way into the public sewer
How do I know if I'm connected to a public sewer?
Soakaways
Description of soakaway
Rainwater harvesting systems
Description
Eco drains
Explanash
Your downpipes
If your downpipes are sealed, no rainwater should be able to escape from them into our drains. So you won't be connected to a public sewer in this way.
Water butts
Are they completely secure? Or can water run off them into the ground/a nearby drain? If so, this water will fid its way into our sewers and you're connected.
Do the test
Pour a glass of water on your driveway. If the water flows towards the road then this likely goes into our sewers, if it flows towards your house then it might not.
Still unsure?
Try:
- asking your neighbours
- checking the plans of any building work
- checking your property deeds
Apply for a rebate
To apply for a rebate, just download and fill in our application form.
You'll need to draw us a plan of your property and where any rainwater falling on your roof and gutters drains to.
It should look something like this example.
Any questions?
What date will the rebate apply from?
We cancel the surface water charge for any new applications up to a maximum of six previous financial years or from the date that you became responsible for the bill, whichever is later. No rebates will be given any further back than this.
If we bill you on behalf of another water company for your sewerage charges, it’s probably worth checking with them to see what their policy on backdating reductions is, as it might be different to ours.