Surface water drainage: reclaiming a charge you may not owe
Most water bills for non-household premises include a charge for surface water drainage. It covers the cost of handling rainwater that runs off your roofs, paths and car parks into the public sewer. The charge is often based on the size of your site, so larger properties such as churches with grounds or graveyards can pay significant amounts each year.
The charge only applies if rainwater from your site actually reaches the public sewer. Many places of worship were built long before modern drainage. Their rainwater may soak into lawns and burial grounds, run into a soakaway, or flow into a nearby stream or ditch. Where that happens, you may be entitled to a reduction or a full rebate.
How the rebate works
Your water company assumes by default that all surface water drains to the public sewer. To change that, you apply with evidence of where the water goes instead. This can include a site plan, photographs of downpipes and drains, and in some cases a simple drainage survey. Where the charge is based on site area and a meaningful part of the site does not drain to the sewer, you should receive at least a partial reduction.
Rebates can often be backdated up to six years, depending on your water company's policy, so it's worth acting promptly.
Concessions for places of worship
Some water companies also offer a concessionary scheme for places of worship and community groups. It caps the surface water and highway drainage charge at the lowest band, whatever the size of the site. It is not applied automatically and has to be requested.
Size does not matter
Unlike some energy protections, there is no business-size test for water. Any non-household premises can apply: charities, places of worship, faith schools and care homes alike.
How we help
We identify which charges apply to each of your sites, gather the evidence, and submit the application to the correct company. We also check the rest of your water account for metering errors and incorrect tariffs while we're at it.
This article is general guidance based on the rules as at October 2026. It is not legal or tax advice.