Drainage - help and advice

Responsibility for maintenance depends on whether the system where the blockage or defect has occurred is a drain, a private sewer or a public sewer.

Drains and Sewers - What's the difference?

Drains generally serve a single property. Responsibility for the cleansing and repair of drains rests with the owner of the property.

Private Sewers serve two or more properties which were constructed after 1st October 1937. Responsibility for the cleansing and repair of private sewers rests equally with each of the owners of the properties.

Public Sewers serve two or more properties which were constructed before October 1937. They usually include the large 'main' sewers which run along the centre of the roads into which individual drains and both private and public sewers discharge, irrespective of date of construction of the buildings along the road. The Environmental Protection team, has responsibility for ensuring that owners properly maintain their drains and private sewers.

What goes into them?

• Foul systems carry the contents of wc.s, urinals etc.
• Waste systems carry the contents of sinks, wash basins, baths, showers, washing machines etc.
• Foul and waste pipes eventually join to form a single drain or sewer.
• Surface or storm water systems carry rainwater from roofs, yards, road gullies etc.

Except in the oldest parts of the Borough, these generally remain entirely separate from the foul/waste systems.

Responsibility for the cleansing and repair of public sewers always rests with Anglian Water who may be contacted on 08457 145145.