Charges
Metered Charges
If there is a water meter fitted at your premises your charges will be calculated every quarter, based on the amount of water consumption that has been registered by the meter. We will read your meter at least once every financial year. For our largest users we will aim to read the meter at least once a month and issue a bill based on that reading. At other times your bill will be based on an estimated reading. Estimated bills are based on previous meter readings. We calculate a daily water usage and multiply this by the number of days that the bill covers.
The charges on your bill are for
- Water Supplied
- Used Water
- Water Standing Charge
- Sewerage Standing Charge and
- Surface Water Drainage.
The Water and Used Water charges are calculated based on how much water you use.
The Water Standing Charge is based on the size of the meter and covers the cost of reading, billing, maintaining and - when necessary - replacing the meter. Full details of this charge can be found in our Scheme of Charges.
The Sewerage Standing Charge is also based on the size of the meter and covers costs charged by Severn Trent Water Ltd, the sewerage service provider for our area.
Finally, the Surface Water Drainage Charge covers the collection and treatment of rainwater that falls on to your property and drains into public sewers. Charges for Used Water, Sewerage Standing and Surface Water Drainage are set by Severn Trent Water Ltd. We simply collect these charges on their behalf. These charges are based upon the total site area of the premises, the details of this banding charge can be found in our Scheme of Charges.
If you receive an estimated bill but would prefer to receive a bill based on actual usage and can give us your own meter reading, please leave the details via our Send us Your Meter Reading form. We will amend your account based on your reading and send you a replacement bill.
Unmetered Charges
If a water meter is not fitted at your premises, your water service charges are based upon the Rateable Value (RV) of your premises.
The calculation of RV is based on the supposed rental value of a property. The RV system is operated by the Inland Revenue and takes into consideration things such as the age and type of property, number of rooms and location. The RV that we base your charges on is the valuation shown in the Inland Revenue list of 31st March 1990
It is not related to your Council Tax banding or business rates. We will bill you annually for the period from 1st April to 31st March.
The charges on the bill are for
- Water Supplied
- Used Water and
- Surface Water Drainage.
The Surface Water Drainage Charge is built into the Used Water Charge and covers the collection and treatment of rainwater that falls on to your property and drains into the public sewers.
Charges for Used Water, Sewerage Standing and Surface Water Drainage are set by Severn Trent Water Ltd. We simply collect these charges on their behalf.
Business Customers - Price Changes from 1st April 2008
From 1st April 2008 water charges will be rising for our business customers. Your bill for your water charges may be higher than last year. There are a number of reasons why they are increasing, this includes the level of inflation announced in mid December (4.3%), maintaining existing assets, investing nearly £30 million in new assets as well as investing in our customer services. These charges have been approved by our regulator OFWAT.
If you have any questions regarding these charges please call the customer services team on: 0845 60 70 456