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Frequently Asked
Questions (FAQs):
The drainage system serving my property is
blocked, who is responsible for unblocking it?
I have
established the blockage is on my private drain and only affects my
property. What can I do?
I have
established the blockage is on a private sewer serving my property and
my neighbours. What can I do?
My neighbour will not pay for their share of the
costs. What can I do?
Why am I responsible for drainage problems that
are not on my land?
What do
I have to do if I have a blocked drain?
What
happens if I don't clear the blockage or carry out repairs?
Why do
my Water Rates not cover me for these problems?
Why does my Council Tax not cover me for the
upkeep of private sewers and drains?
I am still unsure of what I am responsible for and
what is wrong with my drains, who can advise me?
What are the charges for clearance of a blocked drain?
What should I do if I have a recurring drainage problem?
Who
should I contact regarding a public sewer problem?
What is the difference between a septic tank and a
cesspool?
How
much does it cost to empty a cesspool or septic tank.
How often does as a septic tank need to be
emptied?
How
often does as a cesspool need to be emptied?
How
often does a processing plant or lifting pump chamber need to be
serviced?
When
you empty a septic tank, cesspool or treatment plant is the effluent
removed to a recognised disposal point?
Hints
and Tips
The drainage system serving
my property is blocked, who is responsible for unblocking it?
Before we can answer this we need to find out whether or not the
blockage you are suffering from is a blocked drain, a blocked private
sewer or a blocked public sewer.
People use the terms 'drain' and 'sewer' very loosely, without
really understanding what they mean. Under Public Health Law they do
have strict legal meanings, which can be defined as follows: (please
note that this information is not a full guide to the law and should not
be considered as a legal document)
Drain
A pipe that only takes drainage from a building or buildings within
the same property boundary is called a drain. The water that drains into
it may be surface water (for example rainwater from the roof) and/or
foul water (for example, bathroom or toilet waste). The responsibility
for unblocking a drain or repairing any defects on it lies with the
owner or occupier of the building.
This is the case, even if the problem on the drain is beyond the
boundary of the building, or under a road or pavement.
Sewer
From the point at which a pipe takes drainage water from two or more
buildings that are not within the same property boundary, it is called a
sewer. A sewer that was constructed after 1 October 1937 is called a
private sewer unless it has been adopted by your local Water Authority.
The law generally requires that the owners or occupiers of the
properties that use and connect into the sewer above the point of
blockage, to remove the obstruction and/or repair it. They all must keep
it in good condition, regardless of whose land the problem is located
on.
Generally, sewers constructed before 1 October 1937 are known as
public sewers, but there can be exceptions to this. Your local Water
Authority is normally responsible for clearing blockages, maintaining
and repairing public sewers.
So, if you have a blocked drain...
Establish where the blockage is:
Is anyone else’s house affected?
NO
- The blockage is likely to be in your drain. The responsibility
to clear it is yours.
YES - When were the houses
built?
Before 1 October 1937
(Most terraced houses were built before 1937) Responsibility usually
lies with Sewerage Undertaker Ring.
After 1 October 1937
Owners of the houses using the pipe at the point of the blockage are
responsible. If your neighbours do not co-operate or disagree with
your, or your have any queries, contact your local Environmental
Health Department.
-
If the pipe blocked serves only
your property it is your responsibility as owner or occupier to
clear the blockage.
-
If the pipe blocked serves your
property and some of your neighbours it is a sewer. If your
property was built before 1937 the sewer will be the
responsibility of your Local water Authority.
-
If the pipe blocked serves your
property and some of your neighbours and the properties were
built after 1937, the it will be classed as a private sewer
unless it has since been adopted by your local Water Authority.
It is the responsibility of you and all your neighbours who
drain into the sewer above the point of the blockage to clear
it. To check if your sewer may have been adopted you should
contact your local water authority.
I have established the blockage is on my private drain and only
affects my property. What can I do?
We provide a drain clearing service which operates 24 hours a day -
7 days a week. Call us on 07000 290290
I have established the
blockage is on a private sewer serving my property and my
neighbours. What can I do?
It is the joint responsibility of you and your neighbours to clear
the blockage regardless of whose land the blockage is on.
You must therefore jointly arrange to have the sewer cleared and
agree how you share the costs. We will gladly clear the blockage but
will invoice the person who arranges the call out. We cannot invoice
all the parties involved, collection of any monies from neighbours
is your responsibility.
My neighbour will not pay
for their share of the costs. What can I do?
Unfortunately, the only way costs can be shared out if neighbours
will not agree to pay their share is by the Council serving a legal
notice on all persons responsible. The notice has to give persons 48
hours to clear the blockage before we can clear it ourselves.
Why am I responsible for
drainage problems that are not on my land?
Unfortunately, Drainage Law is not dependent on who owns the land
which the problem is on. It depends upon who drains into the private
sewer above the point of blockage or defect. If your drainage waste
goes through that pipe you may be partly responsible, irrespective
of where the problem is.
What do I have to do if I have a blocked drain?
The drains are the responsibility of the owner of the property even
outside the curtilage of the property. If more than 1 property feeds
into the system it is then classed as a sewer. Thames Water are
responsible for clearing sewers built before 1st October 1937 and
sewers that have been adopted as a public sewers.
Thames Water
can be contacted on 0845 9200 800. Sewer systems built after this
date and not adopted as public sewers are private sewers and the
responsibility of the owners of the properties feeding into it. You
will need to reach an agreement with your neighbours to fund the
clearance a blocked drain. The authority has legal powers to require
drains and sewers to be cleared and should they remain blocked the
authority can arrange for contractors to carryout works in default
and re-charge for the work undertaken.
What happens if I don't clear the blockage or carry out repairs?
Your
Local or Borough Council
has various Public Health powers under several Acts of Parliament
which enable it to require, by formal legal notice, the clearance of
any blockage or the undertaking of any necessary repair works.
Failure to comply with formal legal notices is an offence and can
lead to prosecution. The works may be carried out by the Council in
default and the costs recovered from those responsible.
Why do my Water Rates not
cover me for these problems?
Your water rates are for the upkeep of the public sewer network and
for the sewage treatment carried out at the sewage treatment works.
They go towards the provision and maintenance of a water supply to
your house.
You are responsible for the repair and maintenance of the drainage
system up until the point it connects into the public sewer network.
Why does my Council Tax not
cover me for the upkeep of private sewers and drains?
The Local Authority do not own any drains or sewers, except those
serving their own properties. They are responsible for highways
drainage but this is separate from drainage of buildings.
The Local Authority also has a statutory duty to investigate private
drainage problems and enforce the law relating to private drainage.
I am still unsure of what I am responsible for and
what is wrong with my drains, who can advise me?
Your Local Council Environmental Health or
Technical Services Department should be happy to advise you as to
your legal responsibilities and can visit to assess the problem.
They should also provide information,
advice and deal with complaints about blocked or defective drains
and sewers serving private properties.
What are the charges for clearance of a blocked
drain?
Charges vary according to the time of day or night and total hours
to clear. We would be happy to give an approximate idea of the costs
involved. Please
contact us for further information.
What should I do if I have a recurring drainage
problem?
Clearaway Drainage Services can carry out a camera survey (CCTV) of
your private drainage system. A detailed report will be supplied,
together with recommendations of the most cost effective way to
carry out any necessary repairs.
Who should I contact regarding a public sewer
problem?
The public sewers are the responsibility of the appropriate water
authority. In the south of the District contact Southern Water
on 01962 714585 during the day and on 0845 278 0845 out of hours. In
the north of the District contact Thames Water on 0845 920 0800.
What is the difference
between a septic tank and a cesspool?
Septic tanks are used where this is no public sewer available. They
work on the principle of breaking down solids by anaerobic bacteria
in an enclosed chamber. The final purification of the liquid is in a
filter bed. The effluent is sometimes discharged into a humus
chamber, which allows the unstable material from the filter to
settle. The water resulting from the process then passes into a
soakaway. Water from a septic tank should not be discharged into a
ditch, stream, river or pond.
Cesspools are used where there is no public sewer available and where
the sub soil cannot soak away the liquid from a septic tank, or if
there is no suitable stream or river to take the final effluent from
a processing plant. They are simply a large enclosed chamber to
collect the effluent, which is then removed on a regular basis and
taken to a sewerage treatment works. Cesspools are considered to be
a last resort for dealing with sewerage.
How much does
it cost to empty a cesspool or septic tank.
This depends on the capacity of the septic tank or cesspool. Please
contact us to receive a personalised
quotation. Please note for domestic waste removal, VAT is not
chargeable.
How often does
as a septic tank need to be emptied?
This depends on usage; glass fibre bottle type septic tanks should be
emptied at least annually or as recommended by the manufacturer.
How often does
as a cesspool need to be emptied?
This depends on usage and the capacity of the cesspool and the number of
occupants within the premises. .
How often does
a processing plant or lifting pump chamber need to be serviced?
As with processing plants this again depends on usage however they are
generally serviced every six months or as recommended by the
manufacturer. Lifting pump chambers are generally serviced annually or
as recommended by the manufacturer.
When you empty
a septic tank, cesspool or treatment plant is the effluent removed to a
recognised disposal point?
Clearaway Drainage Services Ltd disposes of all effluent to fully
recognised and licensed sewerage treatment works. The regulated water
companies operate these works. We have all the required licences to
discharge. Our Waste Carriers Licence Number is GTL/372977. We do not
inject or dispose of any effluent to farmland.
Hints and Tips:
Know where your mains water stop cock is both inside and outside your
house and ensure you have a stopcock key in case you need to turn
the water off in an emergency.
Never pour fat down the drain. It will solidify and form a blockage
somewhere alone the drain.
Air fresheners that attach to the rim of the toilet pan should be
fastened securely to make sure they do not fall into the toilet and
cause a blockage.
Help yourself by not putting large bulky waste down the toilet, e.g.
disposable nappies, sanitary towels, incontinence pads etc. Instead,
wrap them, put them in a bag and put them in the dustbin or yellow
bag system.
Fit drain covers to prevent garden debris being washed into the
system.
Keep gutters and grids free from fallen leaves and other debris.
In winter ensure all your water tank and pipes are well lagged
to avoid pipe bursts and don't forget your outside water tap in the
garden.
Don't leave taps dripping. The water will freeze along the external
drain pipe and slowly build up to cause a blockage or burst the
pipe.
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