[wightsurf]

I asked  Southern water for a allowance on waste water due to the fact I take the water away with me. After endless letters they have turned me down because I do not exceed there estimate on water useage for my size family.

I phoned them up today to lodge a complaint and how to take this further. After being put on hold endless times I was then told the letter which quotes (I do not exceed there estimate on water useage for my size family.) is in fact wrong and it should say ,That because im on a domestic water meter im not allowed a Allowance and also the water that I take to other properties ends up in the Drain.

I went on to protest and ask for the right reasons to be sent to me in a letter so that I can take this further.

So I need info from anyone who has had a Allowance approved by a water Company. If you have can I have the company Name please and the date this was allowed from.
I don't see how southern water can charge me by estimate for water I can prove if needed that I take away, as for it ends up in the drain is laughable .
But they where changing there story abit on the phone .

So any info/ help would be good as I don't want to let them get away with this unless im truly stuffed here.

[Fin Clearview]

I'm with southern mate, have you recieved the allowance non return to sewer forms?

[PoleKing]

With Anglian here.
They were the complete opposite, couldn't be more helpful in arranging what I needed to do.
I've had 2 rebates so far.
Are the water companies across the country not under some kind of universal paperwork?
Doesn't seem fair if you can't get a rebate for what you're not using.
My pure obviously comes in the van but my RO waste goes on the grass (love my lawn ) so I don't pay waste either.
When you clean someone's windows, it doesn't go back into the sewer it gets evaporated and what does fall on the floor-you could probably argue soaks into the ground

[wightsurf]

Fin Clearview yes got the forms a long time ago and have been waiting for them to make up there minds as what they are going to do.

Thanks for that Daren ,I did quote Anglian as being helpful funny enough that's when they started changing there reasons for no Allowance.
I did ask why one water company can give the Allowance yet southern water turns it down ,they could not answer this .

I will be pushing with this as I don't see it as fare billing.

[Stephen.C]

I have gone through this mate and its like hitting your head against a brick wall. I can help you if would like to give me a ring. Check out my profile to get my Number.

[wightsurf]

I will take you up on that call cheers, probably over the weekend.
Mean while I have been looking at ofwat which leads me to Consumer Council for water. It states that it strongly represents domestic and business water consumers.

Once I have some idea on what water companies are happy to help us Window cleaners it will be worth getting in touch with this ,do you think ?

[PoleKing]

Wighty-i'd suggest getting a submeter fitted now
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Water-meters-flow-cold-water-new-/320581365642?pt=UK_DIY_Materials_Plumbing_MJ&hash=item4aa4236f8a
that should do it...
If all this drags on for some time, when you do get allowed the rebate, say you want it back dated.

Take a photo of it with a datestamp showing a 0 reading before you start it.
Then take a photo regularly showing it going up.

[mick sams]

hi  i am with s/w water i have an external use meter fitted and pay no sewerage charges on that
one tap. had lots of problems to get it sorted,but persevere and take it further,you can beat them. feel free to call me if you want more info
Mick Sams

[wightsurf]

Thanks Darren  ill get that sorted straight away.

Mick thanks ,

edit: deleted silly Question 

[bobplum]

I asked  Southern water for a allowance on waste water due to the fact I take the water away with me. After endless letters they have turned me down because I do not exceed there estimate on water useage for my size family.

I phoned them up today to lodge a complaint and how to take this further. After being put on hold endless times I was then told the letter which quotes (I do not exceed there estimate on water useage for my size family.) is in fact wrong and it should say ,That because im on a domestic water meter im not allowed a Allowance and also the water that I take to other properties ends up in the Drain.

I went on to protest and ask for the right reasons to be sent to me in a letter so that I can take this further.

So I need info from anyone who has had a Allowance approved by a water Company. If you have can I have the company Name please and the date this was allowed from.
I don't see how southern water can charge me by estimate for water I can prove if needed that I take away, as for it ends up in the drain is laughable .
But they where changing there story abit on the phone .

So any info/ help would be good as I don't want to let them get away with this unless im truly stuffed here.

is there anyone in your household with a disability? you can get a rebate if so

[Spruce]

We aren't on a meter, but how does this sewage rebate work?

Half of the water that goes through the r/o goes to waste. In our case the sewage and the water from the roof go down into the same sewage system. The drain the waste goes to is from the roof gutters.

[Dave Willis]

if you can prove the waste goes into a soakaway rather than the drainage system then they aren't treating your waste water therefore you will be entitled to a percentage rebate on the waste you produce.

You won't get any rebate on the water consumed only the waste.
Therefore, you won't be entitled to a rebate on the water chucked over the customers windows either.

If your waste water is going down the drains then forget it.

[robertphil]

if you live in an old house you should check any outside taps cos sometimes these are off a spur that bypasses any meter . i live in one such house,but am not a wfp cleaner

 years ago in another house my outside tap was the same

[Paul Coleman]

Although this doesn't apply to me, am I right in thinking that sewerage charges are partly assessed by the amount of water that you use, therefore the purified water that goes on the windows doesn't carry a sewerage charge?  If so, I imagine that a secondary meter measuring what goes into the tank (AFTER the waste division) would be the answer.
As for them saying that water on windows goes down the drain anyway, that's only a partial truth.  Some may go into storm water drainsd but much of it goes to ground or evaporates.
Another issue with this is that:  Although your water is supplied at one point, the window cleaning takes place at multiple points.  Make sure that Southern Watert are aware that most of ytour window cleaning takes place in other water company areas. My domestic supply is by Southern Water (not my work supply though) but my sewerage is by Thames Water.  If you have a similar situation, is it possible that you should be speaking to Thames Water?

[wightsurf]

Bobplumb , there is .Can you give more info please.


Dave Willis , The water company estimate that 95% goes back to be treated.
If you prove that any of your water is not going back then this is where the Allowance comes in. So if your Ro unit gives you 200ltrs pure a day this is what you need to have on a meter to prove that the 95% needs to be adjusted to allow for the 200 ltrs a day, your waste is not being claimed.
If you don't have any waste then claim the lot 


Paul Yes  sewerage charges are partly assessed by the amount of water that you use. If you use 100 ltrs they also charge you 95% (depending on company) as wastage. For those that do have drainage ro waste then yes a meter on the pure Ro pipe is the answer.

[PoleKing]

Bobplumb , there is .Can you give more info please.


Dave Willis , The water company estimate that 95% goes back to be treated.
If you prove that any of your water is not going back then this is where the Allowance comes in. So if your Ro unit gives you 200ltrs pure a day this is what you need to have on a meter to prove that the 95% needs to be adjusted to allow for the 200 ltrs a day, your waste is not being claimed.
If you don't have any waste then claim the lot 


Paul Yes  sewerage charges are partly assessed by the amount of water that you use. If you use 100 ltrs they also charge you 95% (depending on company) as wastage. For those that do have drainage ro waste then yes a meter on the pure Ro pipe is the answer.

Not to nitpick but if your waste from the RO doesn't go down the drain, for example waters your lawn, you don't have to pay the sewerage on that either.
Could make a difference. For me, all the water that comes into my system, none if it goes back in the sewer. Pure cones in the van with me and waste goes on my lawn

[wightsurf]

Darren

I agree and did say > If you don't have any waste then claim the lot

[Fin Clearview]

Doesn't make for good reading this! My forms are on the table so I think I better get em sent off. My meters been in a year now and on average they reckon my family of four plus my useage is 985 litres per day. My water bill is now £65 per month. 

[wightsurf]

Fin , do you have one of them meters that Darren posted a link to. I think this is the only way forward with any Allowance to be given.

[Fin Clearview]

No sub meter wightsurf but now SW have made their estimate I'm going too even if i dont use as much as Darren's wife lol! I wonder if anyone who's been on a meter has had a rebate if they used less than the estimated amount - by the sounds of it I doubt it though.