To ask Her Majesty's Government what measures are available for community and volunteer groups to reduce costs related to surface water draining. [HL3976]

Guidance issued by the Secretary of State in 2000 stated that customers should only be charged for surface water runoff from their properties that enters the public sewer system, and that the Government support the provision of rebates for customers whose surface water does not flow into public sewers.

All customers can therefore reduce costs related to surface water drainage by implementing sustainable drainage measures such as soakaways or permeable paving, to reduce the amount of surface water runoff into sewers, and applying for a rebate from their water company.