Seasonal Tariff v Standard Tariff

Q. I live at Highland Park, on the Standard Tariff and would like to opt on to the Seasonal Tariff – can I?

A. No – the tariff is a trial for a limited period of time, approved by Ofwat and carefully regulated by them.  The arrangement is for the tariff to apply to the property for the duration of the trial, irrespective of occupiers moving in and out.  If you are on the Standard Tariff there is no option to switch.

Q. I don’t live at Highland Park, and would like to opt on to the Seasonal Tariff – can I?

A. No – the tariff is a trial set up in a controlled area, currently limited to Highland Park by Ofwat and carefully regulated by them.  The Seasonal Tariff is not available outside this control area for the time being.

Q. I live at Highland Park and I am on the Seasonal Tariff – can I revert to the Standard Tariff?

A. No – the tariff is a trial for a limited period of time, approved by Ofwat and carefully regulated by them.  The arrangement is for the tariff to apply to the property for the duration of the trial, irrespective of occupiers moving in and out.  If you are on the Seasonal Tariff there is no option to switch.

Q. What are the current tariffs (1-Apr-06 to 31-Mar-07)?

A. Standard Tariff is 89.98per cubic metre, all year round.
Seasonal Tariff is 44p per cubic metre, 1-Sep to 30-April
and
£1.70 per cubic metre, 1-May to 30-September.

Participation Payment

Q. I am on the Seasonal Tariff and understand that I am entitled to a £50 annual participation payment.  How do I get this payment?

A. All customers on the Seasonal Tariff will be credited by £25 on each of their half yearly bills.

Q. I receive a Participation Payment as part of the Seasonal Tariff trial but I am moving house.  Do I need to repay a proportion of the payment I have received?

A. No the payment is a twice yearly £25 payment (£50 per year) credited to the bill reflecting the future participation of the customer.  There is no proportioning of this payment across the period of the bill.

Q. I’ve just moved into a property in Highland Park and I understand that I will be on the Seasonal Tariff, which attracts a Participation Payment – is this payment proportioned between now and my first bill?

A. No the payment is a twice yearly £25 payment (£50 per year) credited to the bill reflecting the future participation of the customer.  There is no proportioning of this payment across the period of the bill.

Q. I’m moving into a property Highland Park in May/June/July/August and I understand that I will be paying a Seasonal Tariff which is £1.70 per cubic metre – this is unfair – everyone else is only paying 90p per cubic metre.

A. It is true that the high rate tariff will apply during the summer months.  This is to encourage customers to be careful with water usage during the summer when demand is highest.  Don’t forget that your house comes with a range of water saving devices which will significantly reduce your consumption without you even noticing.  You will also benefit from a low tariff for eight months of the year which is just half the rate of customers on the standard tariff.  We expect most customers on the Seasonal Tariff to make savings on their bills of between 5 % and 15 % over the course of the year.  In addition to this customers on the tariff benefit from a Participation Payment, credited as two £25 payments on each of the twice yearly bills.

Wastewater Charges

Q.  Does South East Water bill me for wastewater/sewerage?

A. No, South East Water is the water supplier.  Wastewater/sewerage services are provided by Southern Water.  You will receive separate billing for wastewater charges. 

Q. I am on South East Water’s Seasonal Tariff.  Does this tariff apply to wastewater/sewerage charges too?

A. No, South East Water is the water supplier.  The seasonal tariff applies only to the supply of water.  Wastewater/sewerage services are provided by Southern Water.  You will receive separate billing for wastewater charges. 

If you have any queries on wastewater charges you should call Southern Water on 0845 272 0845.  You will be pleased to know, however that with the water efficient plumbing and washing machine you will not only see significant savings in your water usage, you will also be reducing the amount of wastewater disposed of to sewer, which means you save twice. 

Why is South East Water doing this?

Q. Will the seasonal tariff be made compulsory to all householders?

A. This is just a trial project, part of a wider approach to see how various factors influence householders use of water, and how we might be able to encourage or influence reduced water consumption in the future.  It is unlikely that the trial seasonal tariff will be used in its current form in the long term, but other variations might be, possibly as part of a range of available tariffs, much as other utility providers have already.  The outcome of this project will be used to consider tariff and billing options across the wider water industry.