Are surface water charges soaking up your money?

If the rainwater in your home's drainpipes doesn't flow into the public sewers, you may be able claim a refund from your water bill.

Lucy SiegleLucy Siegle met viewer Mark Smart who for the past six years has paid a surface water drainage charge, as part of his water bill.

But Mark discovered that the rainwater in his home's drainpipes was not flowing into the public sewers. The rainwater was flowing into a soakaway (a pit filled with stones) in his back garden, instead.

Mark had been paying the water company for a service that he is doing himself. He told his water company about the soakaway and has received a £400 rebate from his bill.

Surface water drainage charge?

When rain falls on your property it has to go somewhere. Usually it runs down a drainpipe and into the public sewer. Water companies call this 'surface water' and charge you for draining it away. But there are ways of getting rid of surface water that may involve the water companies, soakaways for example. Another example is if your property is next to a river and the surface water from your property runs into the river.
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Worcester Bosch calls for more scrappage time

ONE of Worcester's biggest employers is calling on the Government to extend its boiler scrappage scheme.

Worcester Bosch Group, based in Cotswold Way, Blackpole, has started lobbying MPs and civil servants asking them to extend the scheme that can help reduce household energy bills.

The scheme has proved popular with both boiler installers such as Bosch and 125,000 homeowners have taken part.

Neil Schofield, head of sustainable development at the Worcester firm, said: “The scheme has been good for the installer, the householder and the entire domestic heating sector.”

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Land Glider

This, according to Nissan, is the future of urban transportation.

The electric-powered Land Glider has four wheels but is little more than half the width of a family car and is designed with busy city streets in mind.

The agile two-seater, which has a glider-like cabin, leans into corners and has a top speed of 62mph.

Boiler scrappage scheme comes to an end

The government’s £400 boiler scrappage scheme is now run out of funds, but energy companies are now offering discounts.

The boiler scrappage scheme for England is now closed.

A total of 125,000 households have now applied for the £400 discounts on the price of a new boiler, after the £50m scheme was launched in January.
The scheme’s been a great success

Energy minister Lord Hunt said: “The scheme’s been a great success and is already helping people cut down on their fuel bills. An ‘A-rated’ energy efficient boiler can help save around £200 a year off fuel bills and reduce emissions.

"The scheme has also provided a much needed boost to England’s plumbers and boiler manufacturers, helping to sustain work for the 130,000 installers and up to 25 UK-based boiler manufacturers throughout the economic recovery.”

However, households can still receive discounts for old boilers from energy firms.

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