Why have our charges increased?

We are committed to provide high quality, value for money services to our customers.   There are a number of contributing factors which have led to an increase this year. One example is our commitment to reduce the number of times our sewers flood through continued investment in our water and sewer networks.

We are investing more than £1 million everyday which enables us to meet the demands of today whilst ensuring the water supplied is of the highest standard. 

What is rateable value and how is it calculated?

The District Valuer on behalf of the Inland Revenue originally assessed rateable values.  They were based on the size of the property, the number of rooms inside the property, the amenities available and the overall location.

No new rateable values have been set since March 1990 following the introduction of the Poll Tax, alterations to existing rateable values are not possible.  Water Companies are still legally entitled to use this basis of charge.  We are unable to use council tax banding as a basis of charge.  All new properties built since 1990 are metered and therefore, rateable value does not apply.  Existing properties with rateable values have the option to have a meter installed.  For more details please ring 08457 090 646.

Metered basis of charge

Metered charges are made up of three elements, water supply, used water and surface water drainage.

Water supply and used water charges are based on the volume of water used.  This is measured in cubic meters (m3), 1m3 is equal to 220 gallons/1000 litres of water.  The amount used is calculated based on the difference between two meter readings reflecting usage.

What is surface water drainage?

These charges are levied for the removal and treatment of surface water or rainwater from the property.  Charges are based either on the rateable value of the property or based on property type – Flat/Terrace, Semi Detached, Detached.   If your charges are currently based on rateable value you can opt to be billed based on property type.   

New charges – Unmetered customers

The average unmeasured household water bill (full service) is increasing by 5.4% for2009/10.

For Water supply charges the average increase is 4.7% and for treatment of waste water the average charges have increased by 6.1%. 

This equates to an increase of just under 5p per day for the average customer

Please be aware that charges do differ depending on the rateable value of your property and where you live.

New charges – Metered Customers

The average metered household will see an increase of 5.6% overall.  Waste water treatment which will see an average increase of 3.9%.  Water supply will see an increase of 6.6%. 

Individual measured customers may see and increase slightly higher or lower then these amounts depending upon their level of consumption.
 
_{* The average price increase may differ for some customers depending on the services/area supplied.}

What we are investing in for the future?

Each year we make significant investments to improve our systems, processes and infrastructure. To make these crucial investments we need to collect charges from you – charges that remain amongst the lowest in the UK water industry. 

This will remain our main focus and our investment will continue at a similar level until 2010. In 2010 a five year period set by our regulator comes to an end and we will submit new investment plans and projects for the next five year period.