Water and sewerage companies have to remove and process the rain water which falls on properties and then flows directly or indirectly into the public drainage systems. This is known as surface water drainage.
This is an essential service. Without good upkeep of the drainage system, the likelihood of surface water flooding and sewer flooding would increase dramatically.
You will pay for surface water drainage in your bill in one of four ways:
- a fee in the standing charge
- a charge based on the rateable value of the property
- as part of the volumetric rate
- a charge based on the site area of your property
Non-household customers pay charges for this service to their retailer, who in turn is charged by the water company for these services. The charges which the water company imposes for surface water drainage must comply with our Wholesale Charging Rules and in particular must reflect the general charging principles which include fairness and affordability, and environmental protection.
Highway drainage
Water that drains from roads and footpaths flows into public drainage systems. This is known as highway drainage. Water companies recover the costs of providing highway drainage from their customers. Water companies are allowed under legislation to recover the costs of providing highway drainage from their customers regardless of the extent to which they directly benefit from the road system