To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in which water company areas voluntary groups are affected by the new system of surface water charges; and what assessment has been made of the likelihood of such systems being taken up in other such areas. (288981)

Four of the 10 water and sewerage companies in England and Wales have switched to site area charging for surface water drainage: Northumbrian Water, Severn Trent Water, United Utilities and Yorkshire Water.

While Ofwat is recommending that other companies switch to site area charging for surface water drainage, it is for companies to decide whether to make the switch and for Ofwat, as the independent economic regulator of the water industry, to approve charging schemes.