There are a number of options which may help you to reduce your wastewater bill:
(i) Check that your site area band is correct
Your site area charging band is determined by the size of your chargeable area. Your site area charging band is shown on your recent wastewater bill. If you believe the site area charging band we have allocated to the total area of your premises is incorrect please call us on 0845 746 2255. Alternatively download our application form and return this to us in the post.
You can also check your map online to see how your chargeable area has been calculated (you will need your account number to access your map - you can find your account number on a recent wastewater bill). Again, if you believe this measurement to be incorrect you can print out your map, make any amendments and return it to us at the address shown in our Contact Us section. You can also call us on 0845 746 2255.
(ii) Reduce the amount of surface water entering the public sewer
Please note: claiming a reduction in the surface water element of your bill will not affect your highway drainage charge.
If you are located close to a watercourse, you may be able to divert your surface water to it. However you are likely to need permission from the Environment Agency or British Waterways before doing this.
Another option if you have the space to do it is to create a soakaway. In simple terms, a soakaway is a hole in the ground which is filled with stones or gravel. You then divert your surface water to this instead of the sewer, which then naturally drains away the rainwater over a longer period of time. Before going ahead with this you will need to speak to your local authority to find out if you require planning permission.
Important: making changes to your existing drainage arrangements are covered under The Building Regulations 2000, which states that adequate provision must be made for rainwater from the roof of a building to drain to either a soakaway, watercourse or sewer. Therefore we would advise that you contact your local authority prior to commencing any works that involves altering your existing drainage arrangements.
If you can reduce the amount of surface water that enters the public sewer you may be able to claim a reduction in your charges. Our surface water claim form explains this in more detail. We've also included information in our related documents section (please see right hand panel) to explain how 'sustainable drainage' techniques can be used to reduce the amount of surface water that enters the public sewer.
(iii) Reduce the size of your chargeable area
Please note: reducing the size of your chargeable area will affect both the surface water drainage and highway drainage elements of your bill.
When calculating your chargeable area we measure the total site area of your premises (whether or not the surface area is permeable) and then exclude any permanently grassed, cultivated or landscaped areas. Examples of excluded areas are playing fields, farmland, racecourses, sports grounds, golf courses, parklands or areas of land on which no building is by law permitted.
Visit 'How is my chargeable area measured?' for an explanation of what is and what isn't included in this calculation.
Therefore if you can reduce the size of your chargeable area then you can apply for us to review your site area charging band.
For example, if, since you were allocated a site area charging band any buildings or car parks for example have been removed and replaced with permanently grassed areas, we would then recalculate your chargeable area (as permanently grassed areas are not included when we calculate your chargeable area). This could result in your site being allocated a lower charging band depending upon your new chargeable area measurement, which would then lead to a reduction in both the surface water and highway drainage elements of your charges. Our claim form explains this in more detail.
(iv) Be more water efficient
As you are charged for all the water that you use, then any efficiencies you can make will reduce your water bill. However, what you may not realise is that your wastewater charges are also affected by the amount of water that you use (see our section How do you calculate my water and wastewater charges? for information on what you pay for).
Using less water normally results in less wastewater being discharged into our sewers therefore reducing both your water and wastewater bills.
Visit our waterwise section for advice on how you could make water savings in your organisation.