Surface water drainage charges
Surface water drainage charges for domestic customers
Foul sewers carry wastewater (from sinks, baths and toilets). Surface water sewers carry rainwater that runs off roofed areas, pavements, driveways and roads. Combined sewers carry both.
For most domestic customers, we apply a fixed sewerage charge to your bill. Part of this fixed charge covers the cost of collecting, treating and disposing of the surface water that drains from your property into the Northumbrian Water sewer network.
If no surface water from your property drains into our sewerage system, you may be entitled to an allowance against your sewerage charges.
Please note, however, that you are not eligible to claim for an allowance against sewerage charges if either of the following two statements applies to your circumstances:
- Some of the surface water drains to Northumbrian Water’s sewer and some of it drains elsewhere (to a soakaway, watercourse, direct to ground etc).
- Surface water from the property usually drains to Northumbrian Water’s sewer but you have installed a water butt to collect the rainwater.
How do I claim for an allowance against surface water drainage charges?
If you believe that you can claim for an allowance against sewerage charges and you would like to apply, you can download an application form. Alternatively you can contact us on 0845 733 5566 or write to us at:
Customer Centre
Northumbrian Water Limited
PO Box 300
Durham
DH1 9WQ
What Happens Next?
Following receipt of your completed application form, we aim to provide you with an answer within 30 days of its receipt. It may be necessary for our representative to visit the site to confirm the drainage arrangements and therefore you must be willing to provide access to the property at a mutually convenient time.
If we agree to your application for an allowance with respect to surface water drainage, then the value of the allowance for the 2008/09 billing year will be £36.60.
In the meantime, please continue to pay all of your bills issued by us until we formally write to you with our decision.