Residents Could Face Water Bill Reduction

A resident in Hutton Roof has managed to reduce his water bill, and has received a compensatory payment, with help from South Lakes MP Tim Farron.

Tim Farron MP took up the case of a resident who realised that he had been charged by United Utilities for surface water drainage, despite the fact that surface water from his property does not drain into the sewerage network.

Since 1997, the charge for sewerage services from the water company has been split, such that there are separate charges for the separate services such as foul drainage, surface water drainage and highway drainage.

However, United Utilities has recognised that residents whose properties do not drain surface water into the sewerage network should not be eligible for the charge relating to this. The resident in question has received a compensatory payment from United Utilities, and has had his bill adjusted accordingly.

It is likely that many other residents in rural villages may have been paying for surface water drainage when they should not have been, and may thus be entitled for a reduction in their bill.

Tim said: "I was pleased to be able to help this resident, who had wrongly been over-charged for many years, and am pleased that United Utilities have recognised this error.

"I would encourage all residents to look into the details of their surface water drainage and whether it is connected to the sewerage network, because it is likely that many others are currently paying this charge even though they shouldn't be."