Blocked Drainage

There is a lot of confusion over who is responsible for a blocked drain. People often think that blocked drains are the responsibility of The district council or Severn Trent Water but this is not the case.

Responsibilities for removal of blockages or repairing defective pipes depend upon whether or not the sewer is classed as "PUBLIC" or "PRIVATE", but determination between the two is not always easy.

Private Sewer

This is any pipe serving more than one property. The majority of domestic houses are connected to a private sewer. The private sewer is the joint responsibility of those people connected to it. The private sewer commonly runs to the front or rear of the properties which it serves and may continue to serve several streets of houses. For example ten houses may be joined via their private drain to a private sewer. The maintenance of this sewer, serving all ten houses is the joint responsibility of those ten houses. If a blockage or break occurs in the sewer, the responsibility for organising the works to be carried out, falls jointly to the people served by the sewer ‘at the point’ of the blockage. So, for an example a blockage at number 5 would be the responsibility of houses 1 to 5, as they are all served by the sewer at that point.

Section 24 Sewer

Where the properties were built prior to 1936 and there is a sewer serving more than one dwelling, not within the same boundary (e.g. not a block of flats), the sewer may be the responsibility of Severn Trent. This is commonly known as a ‘section 24’ sewer. If a blockage occurs on this type of sewer, telephone Severn Trent and they will inform you whether they are responsible. If they are not, then the sewer will be a private sewer as defined above and the maintenance the responsibility of those served by it.

Public Sewer

All ‘private sewers’ and ‘section 24’ sewers eventually lead to a public sewer. These will be the responsibility of Severn Trent Water.

Cleansing and maintenance of an adopted sewer is the responsibility of the sewerage undertaker. Please note that any enquiries regarding public sewers should be directed to Severn Trent Water Ltd on 0800 7834444

Tackle the problems before they occur

• Many blockages and other problems could be prevented through good practice.
• Do not dispose of fats or oils into the drain as they cool down and set as a hard scale.
• Do not dispose of bulky sanitary items such as nappy liners into drains.
• Do not apply permanent landscaping over inspection covers as they are needed for access to clear blockages.
• Take care if you are considering planting deep-rooted trees such as willows, as the roots often enter sewers and drains.
• Check to see whether your property insurance covers you for drainage problems. If not, it is possible to take out separate cover for this. It is important to check the amount of cover as you may not be insured for private pipes outside your property boundary.