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Last updated: 29 January 2010
Following OFWAT guidance, some water companies changed the way they charged for surface water drainage so that the new charges were based on the size of the site area instead of the rateable value of the property. Many third sector organisations, such as village halls, community centres and churches/ faith buildings previously paid little or nothing towards their surface water drainage. The new charging regime meant that some experienced a large, relatively sudden and seemingly disproportionate increase in bills.
The Secretary of State for the Environment has responded to the concerns by announcing that the Government will legislate to allow water companies to run concessionary schemes in the form of a ‘community tariff’ through the Flood and Water Management Bill in the 2009/10 session of Parliament.