Can my water company backdate my water charges?

Yes, water companies can apply to the county court to recover backdated charges. The debt is generally limited to the current year plus six previous years (under the statute of limitations). However, when charges accrue due to an action a company has or has not done, it’s reasonable for the company to share responsibility for the arrears. In such cases, it’s advised to reach a compromise with the customer on the charges owed.