To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs with reference to his Department’s press release of 14 July 2009, on surface water draining charges, what system of surface water charging for voluntary groups is in operation in each water company area. (318332)

Four of the 10 water and sewerage companies in England and Wales—Northumbrian Water, Severn Trent Water, United Utilities and Yorkshire Water—charge non-household customers for surface water drainage according to impermeable site area. The remaining six—Anglian Water, Southern Water, South West Water, Thames Water, Welsh Water and Wessex Water—charge for surface water drainage according to the rateable value of a premises and/or include the charge in their standing charges and/or volumetric charges.