**IMPORTANT CHANGES FROM 1st OCTOBER 2011**
Changes to responsibility of private sewers and lateral
drains
The Government has decided that from 1st October 2011 water and
sewerage companies will take over the ownership and maintenance of
some of the current private drainage systems.
All households should now have received a letter from their
relevant water authority explaining this.
As from 1st October 2011 Water Authorities will take over
responsibility for all existing private sewers. This means that
Water Authorities will be responsible for clearing blockages and
repairing defects in any length of pipe that serves 2 or more
properties.
In addition, they will also take over responsibility for any drains
(pipes serving 1 property only) which lie outside the legal
boundary of the property they serve. This will include drains which
run through a neighbours garden or out into the road.
For Further information
Please
contact your Water Authority:
·
Anglian Water
Residents should contact Anglian Water to determine if the
blockage is in the public sewer or private drain, even if located
within the boundary of their property.
If the Water Authority determines that the problem is in the
private drain then you will need to arrange and pay for a private
contractor to attend.
Note (1):
How do I arrange to clear the
blockage? If it's your dwelling, call out a specialist drain
clearance company if you can't resolve the problem yourself. You
should find these companies listed in your yellow pages.If you are
a private tenant, get your landlord to sort out the problem. If he
won't, contact the Environmental Health Department. You can also
contact your building insurers who may be able to assist you to
track down all those properties affected and get them to accept
their share of responsibility.
Note(2):
The Council has no responsibility for the clearance of blockages
in private drains or public sewers other than in very specific
circumstances when there is a risk to public
health.
Usual causes of blocked drains include the flushing away of
kitchen wipes, disposable nappies, sanitary products, plastic bags
or the pouring of cooking fats, oils and DIY products into the
sink.
To help prevent blockages please ensure these items are disposed
of correctly