Water Rates – Reduction
Created by CliveA few months ago (at our 2nd Residents Association meeting), Adrian Hughes mentioned that he had claimed a refund/reduction in his water rates from Severn Trent Water, due to the fact that his surface water doesn’t drain into the main sewage system.
He said that he thought this might apply to many Kingsway Village Residents.
Since then he has furnished me with much information and advice to allow me to pass it on to you all.
Severn Trent Water’s website has an article about surface water drainage (here) which says:
Surface water drainage:
For most of our customers, the rain that falls onto your roofs, yards and other parts of your property drains to the public sewers. We call this water surface water. We include the cost of removing surface water in the sewerage charges on your bill.
At your property, surface water or groundwater may not drain to the public sewer. If you think you fall in to this category you can claim for a reduction in your sewerage charges of around 36%.
The page includes a link to a surface water drainage leaflet (which includes an application form) and they also say that you can "call us on 08457 500 500 (local rate) to request a printed copy of the leaflet if you would prefer it."
The leaflet (which you can download and print) covers such subjects as:
Claiming lower sewerage charges
How will I know if I am eligible to claim?
How can I claim a lower sewerage charge?
How will my bills be affected?
Their contact details are:
Severn Trent Water Ltd
2297 Coventry Road
Birmingham B26 3PU
08457 500 500
As a leaflet it looks quite daunting, requiring a house plan etc, but Adrian says:
"They seem to want a lot from the application form but it’s really simple as to what’s required! Draw up a plan of the property, scale not important, and highlight all the positions of down pipes and drains that are soak aways including any on the drive, which I had!
Don’t be to concerned about all the waffle, just draw up your property and submit the application!"
He added "Severn Trent are not very quick in responding but I found withholding payment focuses their attention, just something to make the applicants be aware of!"
So get your copy today and claim your 2008/2009 water rates reduction.
…and finally Adrian said "Unfortunately I cannot claim any praise for this as my neighbour was the one who put me on to it…
His name is Mr Ken Mumford and he lives at 75, Thatcham Ave"
Sorry it’s taken me so long to publish this information, (I won’t bore you with the reasons why excuses) 
Many thanks to Adrian for all your help, and also to Ken for passing this on.
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on Tuesday, December 23rd, 2008 at 5:24 pm
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May 27th, 2009 at 1:59 pm
Water Drainage Rebate
I don’t know if this has been raised before…
I recently submitted a claim to Severn Trent Water for a water drainage service charge. (I didnt know if i was entitled to it or not!)
Anyway, last week I got a reply from STW saying that I was due a refund of £170, as the local roads have not been adopted.
So people, get on and contact STW for your early Christmas Prezzie.
All the best,
HM
May 27th, 2009 at 2:03 pm
Hi HM,
Thanks for the post.
As you can see… this was raised some time ago; so I appended your comment to the relevant article.
I strongly suggest that every Kingsway Resident take note and contact STW about this; they won’t volunteer the refunds unless you claim for them!
May 28th, 2009 at 12:09 pm
I haven’t contacted STW but got a 50 quid rebate from them for this issue last week; wonder if I should be asking for more?
June 13th, 2009 at 8:00 pm
We downloaded the leaflet last week but haven’t sent it yet… But we had a letter today (from their audit department) notifying us of a refund of £120 (for surface water drainage overcharge) so it seems like they may have finally sorted out their act and stopped overcharging in Kingsway now (nice)!
HM,
You said
Are you sure it mentioned “Roads not adopted”? I can’t think why that would make a difference (AFAIK you pay rates even if you’re on totally private property, so I don’t see why non-adopted roads would make a difference)!
Anyway… I assume the difference in value is due to the size of the house you live in and the length of time since you started paying your water rates in Kingsway.
If anybody hasn’t heard yet, I recommend you contact Severn Trent.
July 29th, 2009 at 2:35 pm
We had a letter from STW stating that we had been overcharged and they credited our account.
It was nice to get a letter saying “we are giving you money” as opposed to taking it
August 19th, 2009 at 8:13 pm
I submitted a claim a few weeks ago and had a letter back this week saying they are going to visit my property!
Hmmm doesn’t look like anyone else has had a visit though!
Oh well, I’ll keep you posted!! <3
August 20th, 2009 at 12:45 am
Hi misslc,
Thanks for joining and contributing
Oooh err… that does sound ominous
Please let us know how it turns out …and good luck
August 22nd, 2009 at 1:34 am
Just think… A reduction in water rates