The Government Department for Environment, Food and Rural affairs (DEFRA) is introducing changes to the way the UK public sewerage system is currently managed.
• What is happening?
• Why are these changes taking place?
• How will this change impact individual households?
• How do I know what I am responsible for?
• How will this impact my British Gas Plumbing & Drains contract?
• What does this change look like?
From 1st October 2011, DEFRA will transfer the responsibility of all privately owned sewers from individual households to the local water and sewerage companies. This only applies to sewers that connect to the public sewerage system.
Water and sewerage companies will also now take responsibility for drains located outside of the property boundary in addition to private sewers.
Please see below an example showing the situation today and post 1st October 2011:
This diagram shows two adjoining properties (semi detached). Further diagrams are shown below under the section, what does this change look like?
Sewers and drains are either publicly or privately owned. If they are publicly owned, any repairs or maintenance costs are the responsibility of the local water and sewerage company.
Any private sewers which run under people's property (and connect to the public sewer system) are the responsibility of that individual household.
This meant households with private sewers, were responsible for maintaining and repairing these sewers and as such, were sometimes charged with unexpected and large repair bills.
If your household was previously responsible for the repair and maintenance of any private sewers, this is no longer the case. The ownership of all private sewers has now been transferred to your local water company who will be responsible for maintaining and repairing the sewerage system on your property.
British Gas Plumbing & Drains contracts are not affected by this new regulation, as our contracts do not cover shared drains (private sewers). Please be aware that you are still responsible for private drains located within your own property boundary.
For further information about this transfer, please contact your local water company and/or sewerage provider.
Not sharing a sewer
Sharing a sewer
Example of the situation pre 1st October 2011:
Example of the situation post 1st October 2011:
• Why are these changes taking place?
• How will this change impact individual households?
• How do I know what I am responsible for?
• How will this impact my British Gas Plumbing & Drains contract?
• What does this change look like?
What is happening?
From 1st October 2011, DEFRA will transfer the responsibility of all privately owned sewers from individual households to the local water and sewerage companies. This only applies to sewers that connect to the public sewerage system.
Water and sewerage companies will also now take responsibility for drains located outside of the property boundary in addition to private sewers.
Please see below an example showing the situation today and post 1st October 2011:
This diagram shows two adjoining properties (semi detached). Further diagrams are shown below under the section, what does this change look like?
Why are these changes taking place?
Sewers and drains are either publicly or privately owned. If they are publicly owned, any repairs or maintenance costs are the responsibility of the local water and sewerage company.
Any private sewers which run under people's property (and connect to the public sewer system) are the responsibility of that individual household.
This meant households with private sewers, were responsible for maintaining and repairing these sewers and as such, were sometimes charged with unexpected and large repair bills.
How this change will impact individual households?
If your household was previously responsible for the repair and maintenance of any private sewers, this is no longer the case. The ownership of all private sewers has now been transferred to your local water company who will be responsible for maintaining and repairing the sewerage system on your property.
How do I know what I am responsible for?
- • If your drain blockage is also affecting your neighbours, then you will need to contact your local water and sewerage company as they are now responsible for this section of sewer.
- • If your blockage is not affecting your neighbours, then call Dyno-Rod and we will send an engineer to you for a free, no-obligation quote.
How will this impact my British Gas Plumbing & Drains contract?
British Gas Plumbing & Drains contracts are not affected by this new regulation, as our contracts do not cover shared drains (private sewers). Please be aware that you are still responsible for private drains located within your own property boundary.
For further information about this transfer, please contact your local water company and/or sewerage provider.
What does this change look like?
Residential property - Detached homes
Not sharing a sewer
Sharing a sewer
Non Residential property– Flats
Terraced Properties
Industrial Units
Example of the situation pre 1st October 2011:
Example of the situation post 1st October 2011:
