SIR – A short while ago, one of your correspondents claimed that the charge for “surface water removal” could be removed from water bills simply by supplying a diagram of your property.

Following this advice, I applied to Yorkshire Water for a revised water bill and a refund for the previous years charged.

The correspondence I received indicated that I was not eligible for a reduced bill and in any event I would not receive a refund for any monies previously overcharged. If by any chance I was eligible, I would only receive a refund of £40.01 for the coming years even though the charge on the bill is £42.47.

It appears that Yorkshire Water has been charging for collecting rain water from our roofs routinely but four years ago they decided to itemise this charge. I am assured this did not result in increased revenue!

Yorkshire Water further explained that they weren’t allowed to refund previous years’ overcharges as Ofwat wouldn’t permit them!

I have always been under the impression that Ofwat was there for the benefit of the consumer – apparently not.

I wonder what charge Yorkshire Water will invent next?

E Dunn, Trenam Park Drive, Thackley