Dear CEO Office,

I am writing regarding the continuing Surface Water Drainage issue at Badbury Park, Swindon.

TW has previously refunded a number of households where surface water drains into the SuDS system. However, some residents then received a letter dated 11 September 2026 stating that, following a recent mapping exercise, their properties were connected to the TW network and that Surface Water Drainage charges would be added to future bills. No supporting evidence or drainage plan was provided.

We have repeatedly asked TW to provide a drawing showing the route of the roof and land drainage from our properties and the point at which it allegedly enters the TW network. The CEO Office has continued to maintain that surface water from Badbury Park properties discharges into the TW network.

However, my daughter, who also lives at Badbury Park, received a further communication from TW on 2 October 2026stating:

“Your property isn’t connected.”

TW confirmed that she will no longer be charged for Surface Water Drainage and has applied a retrospective credit for the incorrect charges since she moved into the property.

These positions are clearly contradictory.

I am therefore asking TW to provide the evidence rather than a further general explanation. Please confirm:

1. Where TW previously believed my daughter’s surface water entered its network, including the sewer/asset reference and connection point.
2. The drainage route from her property to that asset and a copy of the plan, mapping, survey or other evidence relied upon.
3. What evidence caused TW to reverse its decision and confirm on 2 October that her property is not connected.
4. Whether TW is now reviewing other Badbury Park properties served by the same SuDS arrangements.

If TW cannot identify a connection into its network, please confirm that the property’s surface water drains into the Badbury Park SuDS and does not discharge into a TW surface-water sewer.

This is important because other Badbury Park residents may still be paying for a service their properties do not receive.

I would appreciate a clear response addressing these points and supported by the relevant mapping or documentary evidence.

Kind regards,
Peter Eves

Subject: Badbury Park – Thames Water

Coate (Badbury Park) Working Group has officially written to our MP Heidi Alexander to raise our concerns to the Minister.

Surface Water Drainage Charges

Dear Heidi Alexander MP

I am writing as a constituent regarding Thames Water’s recent review of Surface Water Drainage charges at Badbury Park.

Residents have been told that Thames Water reviewed 1,307 properties and identified 1,232 accounts requiring correction. This has caused significant confusion, particularly because Badbury Park uses a complex SuDS drainage system and most residents are not in a position to interpret technical drainage plans.

The main concern is that Thames Water’s own Development Planning correspondence dated 8 November 2018, DTS Ref 18122, stated in relation to Condition 16:

“surface waters will NOT be discharged to the public network.”

However, Thames Water is now telling some residents that their properties discharge surface water into its sewer network and that Surface Water Drainage charges therefore apply.

We have asked Thames Water to explain what has changed since 2018 and to identify the physical drainage route upon which it has relied when classifying individual properties. This should include the relevant sewer, connection point and drainage plan.

I would be very grateful if you could raise this matter with the relevant Minister and ask for clarification on three key points:

• How Thames Water has determined which Badbury Park properties discharge surface water into its public sewer network;
• How this is reconciled with its 2018 Development Planning statement that surface water would not be discharged to the public network; and
• Whether Thames Water should provide residents with clear drainage mapping and technical evidence before applying or backdating these charges.

Given the number of residents affected, this appears to be more than an individual billing issue. A coordinated explanation from Thames Water, rather than hundreds of residents having to pursue the same question separately, would be extremely helpful.

The fundamental question residents need answered is simple: Where does the rainwater from each property physically go?

I would be grateful if you could raise this with the Minister and provide us with any response received.

Yours sincerely,

Peter Eves

65 Biddestone Ave Coate 

Coate (Badbury Park) Residents Working Group Coordinator

Attachments: Thames Water Development Planning letter dated 8 November 2018, Thames Water letter dated 11 September 2026