Drain Responsibilities
What is the difference between a drain and a sewer?
A waste pipe (drain pipe) is called a drain when it serves only one property. As soon as the drain joins another properties pipes it becomes a sewer from that joint onwards.
Who is responsible for maintaining the drains/sewer?
The responsibility of a sewer depends on whether the sewer in question is a public sewer or a private sewer:
- Public Sewer - The responsibility to maintain a public sewer falls to the sewage undertaker, in Nottingham this would be Seven Trent Water. It is up to the sewage undertaker to make sure all public sewers are flowing correctly and if they are not, it is up to them to fix any problems.
- Private Sewer - The responsibility to maintain a private sewer is down to any person who uses the sewer.
(fig .1) 0 ---- 1 ---- 2 ---- 3
Imagine that point 0 is the public sewer that houses 1, 2 and 3 flow into and the sewer became blocked in-between point 2 and 3, because only house number 3 uses that drain it is the responsibility of house number 3 to fix the problem. Now imagine the sewer became blocked between 0 and 1, it is the responsibility of 1, 2 and 3 to fix the problem because they all use the sewer. It is worth noting that property borders do not affect sewerage responsibilities.
How do I know if my sewer is public or private?
- Public Sewer – public sewers are generally the larger sewers that run beneath roads carrying foul and storm water. However this is not always the case. Section 24 sewers are also considered public sewers. A section 24 sewer is a sewer that was built before the 1st of October 1937 and although it might share the same description as a private sewer, it is the responsibility of the sewage undertaker to maintain it. The sewerage undertaker will posses plans of all such sewers.
- Private Sewer – All other sewerage pipes that serve your property that were built after the 1st of October 1937 are considered private sewers.
The public drains are blocked who should I call?
In Nottingham, Severn Trent Water are responsible for all the repairs and maintenance of all public sewers. To report a problem with a public sewer call – 0800 783 4444