“Stop being part of the problem – start being part of the solution.” That was the message a dozen Labour MPs sent to United Utilities, which provides water services to north west England including much of High Peak, this week. Their 10 Minute Rule Bill aims to exempt Places of Worship, Community Sports Clubs, Scout Groups and Guide Associations from paying surface area and drainage charges.

Weaver Vale MP Mike Hall launched the Bill this week and High Peak MP Tom Levitt was one of his ten named supporters.

United Utilities, with the backing of OFWAT, the water industry regulator, has changed the way non-domestic customers pay for surface area and highway drainage. This has meant that places of worship, Community Sports Clubs, Scout Groups and Guide Associations are now facing massive increases in their water bills. Some will see their bills rise from zero to £2,000 per annum.

Following a concerted campaign against the change in United Utilities have introduced a one year moratorium, freezing charges at 2008/09 levels for these customers. However, this is only to help the company explain the policy of surface area charging better to their customers.

Mike Hall told Parliament: “A 12 month delay on implementing the changes to the way places of worship, Community Sports Clubs and Scouts and Guides pay for surface water and highway drainage is not the answer. Every £1 these organisations spend on increased water bills is £1 less to spend on the valuable services they provide for their parishioners, communities and members. Many of these groups will not be able to afford their increased water bills and may be forced to close.”

“OFWAT need to act now to break the deadlock and put things right. They need to stop being part of the problem and start being part of the solution” Mr Hall said. Tom Levitt commented that “Many churches, sports and community groups have asked me to take up their case with OFWAT and United Utilities and I have done so, but this is clearly not enough. That is why I welcome this Bill to restore the status quo and enable a sensible way forward to be negotiated.”

Severn Trent Water, which covers the southern part of High Peak, is in a similar position but is not pushing the changes forward as hard as United Utilities. Schools and hospitals also face increased water bills for the same reason.