Paying when there are no services
Ratepayers with a property within 30 meters of water pipes or sewer drains will be charged for water and sewerage, even if the services are not connected.
This authority was granted to councils under the Local Government Act 1993 and has now transferred to Southern Water under the Water and Sewerage Industry Act 2008.
Property owners contribute to the cost of laying and maintaining water and sewerage pipes in their area. By sharing the cost, better infrastructure, facilities and services can be provided to everyone. The ability to connect to clean water and safely dispose of waste also increases property value.