Environmental Enforcement
Drainage: Your Questions Answered
What is the difference between a drain and a sewer
?
A drain is a single pipe that links one
property to a sewer. A drain is always the responsibility of the
owner/occupier of a property.
A sewer can be either private or public and is
a pipe that connects two or more properties, the connections can be
drains or other sewers.
A private sewer is a sewer that has not been
adopted for a number of reasons by the local sewerage undertaker -
Southern Water. It is also any sewer that was in
existence before October 1st 1937. The owner/occupier of any
property that uses part of such a sewer is responsible for their
part of its upkeep.
A public sewer is a sewer that has been adopted
by the sewerage undertaker and is their entire responsibility.
These tend to be the main sewers found under roads.
Who is responsible for clearing blockages?
Blockages in the public sewerage system are the
responsibility of Southern Water. To report a blockage
in the public sewer telephone Southern Water on 0845 2780845.
If the blockage is in a private sewer then all those households
served by the section of sewer which is blocked are responsible for
clearing the blockage. Companies who can clear blockages can
be found in the Yellow Pages under “Drain and Pipe
Clearance”. The cost should be shared between each
householder connected to the section of section that was
blocked.
NB: Drains and sewers are not the responsibility of the
Council. The Council also does not provide a drain/sewer clearance
service
What happens if a private sewer is not cleared by the
householders?
The Council will investigate and if necessary serve notices
on each householder affected by the blockage requiring the blockage
to be cleared and will carry out the works in default if the notice
is not complied with.The cost will be recovered from each
householder and will include an additional charge to cover
administration and officer time.
Is there anything I can do to prevent
blockages?
Do not put fat down the drains as this will
cause blockages
Do not dispose of wipes, nappies, sanitary
towels or other sanitary products via the toilet.
Do only dispose of materials that readily
disintegrate via the toilet.
What happens if there are regular blockages and works
are required to repair a private sewer?
Surveys and investigations, including CCTV surveys will need to
be carried out to establish where and how the sewer is
defective and to establish ownership and responsibility. If
necessary the Council will serve notice as above on each
householder served by the defective sewer requiring the repair
works to be carried out.Works in default will be carried out as
above.
I live in a rural area and am not connected to mains
drainage. Where does my foul waste go?
It will go to one of the following independent sewage disposal
systems:
- A cesspool which is a sealed
underground chamber which stores sewage and requires regular
emptying. Failure to empty or to allow to overflow is an
offence.
- A septic tank which has an outlet and
usually consists of two chambers. If constructed properly it
acts like a mini sewage treatment works and treatment of sewage
takes place before being discharged to the ground. If the
effluent is of a high enough quality it can be discharged to
a stream or watercourse, provided consent has been sought from the
Environment Agency.
- .
How can ensure these systems operate
efficiently?
Cesspool: Must be emptied regularly by
tanker to prevent any overflow
Septic tank: Avoid using non biological
washing powders and products as these prevent microbial digestion
of the tank contents. Regularly remove the sludge at least
once a year, but preferably every 4-6 months. Carry out
regular routine maintenance paying particular attention to all
moving parts.