Changes in sewer ownership from 1 October 2011
Anglian Water is responsible for looking after many more sewers
and wastewater pipes as a result in a change in the law that came
into effect on 1 October 2011.
If you are connected to the public sewer system, Anglian Water
has taken ownership of any pipes that you share with your
neighbours as well as any pipes that are outside your property
boundary.
You are still responsible for those pipes within your
property boundary that take waste water away from only your home.
Any pipes that don't connect to Anglian Water's system also remain
in private ownership.
To find out more visit
www.anglianwater.co.uk/sewerswitchover or call
0845 026 5232. |
Who should unblock or repair a drain or sewer?
It is a common misconception that councils are responsible for
maintaining and repairing sewers. Drains and sewers are either
privately owned by the owners of the houses they serve, or, in the
Suffolk Coastal district, are the responsibility of Anglian
Water.
If you are connected to the public sewer system and the blockage
or disrepair occurs in the section of pipe within your property
boundary then the responsibility rests with you or the owner of the
property if you are a tenant.
If the blockage or disrepair occurs in a section of pipe that
drains a number of properties, and they are connected to
the public sewer system, then from 1 October 2011 the
responsibility for the clearance or repair rests with Anglian Water
and you should contact them on 08457 145 145.
From 1 October 2011, any pipes that don't connect to Anglian
Water's system will remain in private ownership.
If the owners of properties served by a private sewer do not
arrange for the clearance of any blockage, we can serve a legal
notice requiring the work to be done. If the notice is not complied
with the Council may carry out the works in default of the notice
and recover the costs from the owners of the properties affected.
However, it will normally be more economical for the owners to
agree amongst themselves to arrange for the works to be carried
out.
If you feel that you are not solely responsible for a blocked
private sewer or want further advice you can call the Environmental
Protection Team on on 01394 444624 or email
environmental.protection@suffolkcoastal.gov.uk.
Public sewers
If the blockage or any disrepair occurs in the public sewer
(this is a sewer that has either been adopted as a public sewer or
was built before 1 October 1937) then the responsibility for its
clearance or repair rests with Anglian Water and you should contact
them on 08457 145 145.
More
information about sewers and drains (new
window) is available on the Anglian Water
website.