# How does the Severn Trent leak allowance work? > The Severn Trent leak allowance is a one-off refund of lost water once a supply-pipe leak is fixed, covering up to 12 months or two bills. How to claim it. URL: https://nottsleakdetection.co.uk/guide/severn-trent-leak-allowance/ 1. [Home](https://nottsleakdetection.co.uk/) 2. [Water Meter Leak](https://nottsleakdetection.co.uk/water-meter-leak/) 3. How does the Severn Trent leak allowance work? Learn # How does the Severn Trent leak allowance work? [Notts Leak Detection](https://nottsleakdetection.co.uk/) explains how the Severn Trent leak allowance works: what it covers, how to claim back the water lost through a leak on your supply pipe, and what to keep. Published 28 September 2026 · Updated 28 September 2026 · By Notts Leak Detection **Short answer:** Severn Trent offers a one-off leakage allowance once the leak is repaired, covering up to 12 months or two bills based on actual meter readings. The leak has to be fixed first. It is a one-off goodwill gesture, and leaks anywhere on your pipework can be considered. Business customers claim through their water retailer instead. A leak on your supply pipe runs through the meter day and night, so on a metered bill you pay for all of it. The Severn Trent leak allowance is how you get some of that back. It is a refund of the extra water charges once the leak has been repaired. ## What the allowance covers According to [Severn Trent](https://www.stwater.co.uk/my-supply/leakage/leakage-allowance/), it is a one-off leakage allowance once the leak is repaired, covering up to 12 months or two bills based on actual meter readings. In plain terms: Rule What it means for you One-off Given once, so the repair needs to last Repair first No allowance until the leak is fixed Up to 12 months or two bills The refund covers the leak period, within that limit Based on actual meter readings Estimated readings weaken a claim, so take real ones Any leak location considered Supply pipe or inside the house Business customers Business customers claim through their water retailer instead. ## How to claim, step by step 1. Confirm the leak. Do the meter test: everything off, internal stop tap closed, and watch the meter. If it moves, the leak is on the supply pipe. 2. Get it located and fixed. See [underground water leak detection](https://nottsleakdetection.co.uk/underground-water-leak-detection/) and [supply pipe repair](https://nottsleakdetection.co.uk/water-supply-pipe-repair/). 3. Keep the evidence. Keep the repair invoice, the leak report and photos, and meter readings from before and after the repair. A reading a week or two after the repair shows usage back to normal. 4. Contact Severn Trent. Ask for the leakage allowance and give them the repair date and your readings. Their [leakage allowance page](https://www.stwater.co.uk/my-supply/leakage/leakage-allowance/) has the current process. Need the leak fixed before you can claim? Located, repaired and written up, anywhere in Nottinghamshire. 0115 839 0791 (+441158390791) ## Why speed matters Every day the leak runs adds to the bill, and the refund only covers a limited period. The [BBC reported in August 2026](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3d3772v7kro) that Severn Trent Water offers the allowance “as long as you repair the leak promptly”. If Severn Trent has already written to you about the leak, a formal notice may also have a deadline. See [private leakage notices](https://nottsleakdetection.co.uk/private-leakage-notice/). ## If the bill is high but you can’t find a leak Before assuming a leak, rule out a faulty or misread meter. [Water leak or faulty meter](https://nottsleakdetection.co.uk/guide/water-leak-or-faulty-meter/) goes through the evidence. It is rarely the meter. ## If the claim is turned down Ask for the reason in writing, and check it against the rules above: was the leak repaired, were real meter readings used, has an allowance been given before? If you still disagree, use the water company’s formal complaints process. The Consumer Council for Water told the [BBC](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3d3772v7kro) that customers who are unhappy with the outcome can bring the dispute to the CCW once the company’s own process has been followed. ## Bottom line Fix the leak first, keep the invoice and a meter reading from after the repair, then claim. It is a one-off, so the repair needs to last. A report showing where the leak was helps if the claim is questioned. Call 0115 839 0791 (+441158390791), 9am–7pm, 7 days. ## Questions people also ask ### Can I claim before the leak is fixed? No. The leak has to be repaired first. The BBC reported that the allowance is offered as long as you repair the leak promptly, so don't leave it. ### Can I claim more than once? The allowance is described as a one-off. That is why a lasting repair, or a [replacement pipe](https://nottsleakdetection.co.uk/water-supply-pipe-replacement/) where the old one is failing, is worth it. ### I run a business. Can I claim? Business customers claim through their water retailer instead. Keep the same evidence: the repair invoice and meter readings. Related service [Water Meter Leak](https://nottsleakdetection.co.uk/water-meter-leak/) Meter still turning with everything off? Work out whether the water is going on your side or Severn Trent's. [View service](https://nottsleakdetection.co.uk/water-meter-leak/) Talk it through Lines open Monday–Sunday, 9am–7pm. 0115 839 0791 (+441158390791) ## More guides - [Decision Guide Is it a water leak or a faulty meter?](https://nottsleakdetection.co.uk/guide/water-leak-or-faulty-meter/) - [Learn Who is responsible for the water supply pipe?](https://nottsleakdetection.co.uk/guide/who-is-responsible-for-water-supply-pipe/) - [Decision Guide How much does leak detection cost in Nottingham?](https://nottsleakdetection.co.uk/guide/leak-detection-cost/) - [Learn How to find a water leak underground](https://nottsleakdetection.co.uk/guide/how-to-find-water-leak-underground/)