The responsibility for maintaining and repairing drainage systems is shared between property owners, water companies, and the local authorities.

Locating a problem and understanding who is responsible for what part of the drainage network can help you avoid unnecessary repair costs for yourself or your business and ensure that your drains are properly looked after.

The property owner’s responsibilities

Property owners are typically responsible for the following:

  • Internal Drains. Maintaining and repairing the drainage pipes that run within their property boundaries, including those connected to sinks, toilets, and other appliances.
  • Private drains and sewers. If you have a private drainage system you are responsible for its upkeep, maintenance and repairs, even if it connects to the public sewer system.
  • If you rent all or part of a property, then the owner or their maintenance company is usually responsible for repairs.

Your water company’s responsibilities

Water companies, for example Southern Water or Thames Water, are responsible for:

  • Public Sewers. Maintaining and repairing public sewers, which are typically located in roads or public spaces.
  • After changes brought in by the Government in 2011, if you have a shared drain with a neighbour, then the water company is usually responsible for maintaining and repairing it. You are only responsible for the portion of the drainage system which services your property alone.
  • Water companies are responsible for lateral drains, ie the section of pipe connecting your property to the main sewer, once they leave your property’s boundary.

Your local authority’s responsibilities

Local authorities, when acting as a highway authority, are responsible for maintaining road gullies, drains and the culverts beneath the road surface that drain any surface water away from the road. Their responsibility extends to clearing blockages and ensuring that gullies function properly.

How to find out where the responsibility lies

It is important to bear in mind that that specific responsibilities may vary depending on your location and the type of drainage system that exists.

You can check your property documents or contact your local water authority if you need to find out who has responsibility for clearing a blockage or carrying out a repair on a specific drain or sewer. If you are unsure where the responsibility lies, it’s best to consult with your local water authority or a drainage expert for advice.

Drain and Sewer Services

At Drain and Sewer Services we have 50 years of experience in unblocking, cleaning and repairing drains and sewers.

All drains and waste pipes need regular cleaning because of build-ups of silt, grease and foreign objects which can reduce flow. If your drain becomes blocked, you need a quick and effective solution to your problem.

Our fleet of lorry-mounted suction and jetting units provide a 24-hour emergency service to get rid of blockages and floodwater. However, if repairs are needed, our trained staff are also qualified to carry them out with minimal disruption, with the expertise to return surfaces to their pre-repair condition under our NRSWA Streetworks Accreditation.

We also offer advice and a full range of guttering and septic tank maintenance and emergency services for homes, larger business and public properties.

Contact us for a consultation or free quote 

If you would like to learn more about our drainage system maintenance and emergency services, then call us today on 01252 312738 or email info@drainandsewer.co.uk to arrange a quote.