Public Health - Drainage
Environmental Health
What is a drain?
A drain is a pipe that conveys either foul water (sink/bath/toilet etc) or surface water (rain) from one house only.
The owner or occupier of a house is solely responsible for maintaining a drain, clearing blockages and repairing any faults. Even where the drain extends outside the boundary of the property (for example under the road or under a neighbour's garden) the owner or occupier of the house served by the drain is still responsible. When two drains join the pipe becomes a sewer from that point onwards.
What is a sewer?
A sewer is a pipe that conveys either foul water or surface water from more than one house.
A sewer may be either public or private.
A Public Sewer is a sewer adopted and maintained by the sewerage undertaker, such as Severn Trent. Once adopted, clearing and maintenance of that sewer is their responsibility. Such sewers are normally found under the highway, but can be anywhere. The Council and Sewerage Undertakers hold copies of the Public Sewer Maps showing the locations of public sewers. If a sewer is not shown on the Public Sewer Map it will be assumed private unless you can prove otherwise.
A second type of Public Sewer was one built as a private sewer before 1 October 1937 but then, as a result of a change in the law, became the responsibility of the sewerage undertaker. Plans of this type of public sewer seldom exist, so each case has to be assessed using the evidence available. A site survey may be required.
A Private Sewer is a sewer that has not been adopted by a sewerage undertaker and is therefore the responsibility of the owners or occupiers of the houses it serves. This means that the owners or occupiers of all houses upstream of a blockage or defect are all responsible for clearance or repair.
What can I do if my drain or private sewer blocks?
During the normal working week, North Shropshire District Council can clear the blockage, for which a charge is payable prior to commencement of works. You may alternatively choose to employ a private contractor; there is a wide choice to be found in Yellow Pages under "Drain and Pipe Cleaning". Always ask for a quote before employing any contractor.
Where several houses are affected by a blockage in a private sewer you should endeavour to agree to share the cost with each householder before employing a contractor. The Council will not become involved in disputes where householders cannot agree between themselves the sharing of these costs.
What can I do if a public sewer blocks?
Contact your sewerage undertaker, who will be pleased to respond:
Severn Trent: 0800 7834444
Welsh Water: 0800 0855935
United Utilities: 0845 7462200
What happens if my drain or private sewer requires repair?
You should arrange for repair by a contractor. The cost of repairs to private sewers should be shared by the various householders draining into the pipe above the point requiring repair.
Your Buildings Insurance Policy may cover the cost of repairs.
What happens if I don't clear the blockage or carry out repairs?
North Shropshire District Council has various Public Health powers that enable it to require the clearance of any blockage or the undertaking of any necessary repair works in the private part of the drainage/sewerage network.
Environmental Health staff can help determine the extent of the problem, the number of properties involved and the action required to resolve the problem. This usually results in either informal or formal action being taken. Failure to comply with formal legal notices is an offence and can lead to prosecution. If the notice is not complied with, the works may also be carried out by the Council and the costs recovered from those responsible.
How much will it cost?
Every case will be different. Most of the cost of a drainage excavation will be labour charges. Household insurance may cover the work providing it is not due to normal wear and tear. If repairs are required you should let your insurance company know as early as possible.
Action to prevent drainage problems
- Never cover over manhole lids, they may have to be lifted up to gain access to the pipework if the drains block.
- Check there is no loose brickwork in manhole chambers. Loose bricks may fall and block the system.
- Do not extend a house over pipework or manholes without taking specialist advice.
- Changing underground drainage is likely to require Building Regulation Approval.
- Do not pour anything into the drains that will solidify and block them. For example: fat, plaster, or cement.
- It is dangerous and illegal to discharge toxic and flammable chemicals into the drains. Examples include oil, petrol, paraffin, etc.
- Do not try to clear blockages in external pipework with anything apart from proper drainage rods. Lengths of timber, garden canes, etc. are not suitable and may cause further problems.
- Items such as paper towels, disposable nappies, incontinence pads etc. should not be put down the drains. Take care with plastic disinfectant blocks.
- It is unwise to plant trees or large shrubs near the line of a drain or sewer as the roots can penetrate the pipes and cause a major obstruction.
- When plumbing in an automatic washing machine or other appliance make sure it discharges into the foul drains
Related Documents
Environmental Protection UK - publications
Environmental Health and Street Scene Service Standards
| email: | envhealth@northshropshiredc.gov.uk |
|---|---|
| telephone: | 01939 238460 |
| fax: | 01939 238468 |
