Blocked Drains and Sewers

Blocked drains can be unpleasant as there may be a bad smell or waste water can back up the pipe.  There are however important differences in terminology which can impact on who is responsible for resolving blockage issues

• Drains are pipes that carry waste and surface water from a single property.  It remains a drain until it reaches the sewer.
• A sewer is a pipeline which conveys foul sewage or surface water from more than one property.  These can though be private or public sewers.
• A public sewer is one that has been adopted as such or was in use before 1^st October 1937 and therefore becomes the responsibility of the Statutory Undertaker, which in this area is either Severn Trent or Anglian Water
• A private sewer is one that is not a public sewer and therefore is the responsibility of the owners of the properties it serves.  It is possible that it can still be a private sewer under the public highway until it reaches the public sewer.  They are therefore usually the ones built after 1937.

Common causes of blockages include the following:

• General deterioration over time
• The flushing of items such as plastic bags or disposable nappies, which should never be placed in the sewerage system
• Cooking fats and oils
• Tree roots

Responsibility for clearing blocked drains

Please see these separate pages on whose responsibility it is to clear drains and sewers. Severn Trent Water also provide useful information on their website. 

***Future changes***

It is anticipated that the maintenance and upkeep of private sewers and lateral drains will become the responsibility of the water companies (e.g. Severn Trent) in late 2011.  Until this time the information on these pages remains applicable

Rented accommodation

In rented properties the landlord has overall responsibility for arranging clearance, but it is reasonable for tenants to carry out simple tasks like keeping gulley gratings free from leaves and not letting food wastes, fat or oil get into the drain.

Council Properties and blocked drains

If you are a Council tenant and have a blocked drain please speak to our Housing Section on 01664 502502