My Supply
Sewer pipe responsibility
There are two main waste pipe types - drain and sewer. You're responsible for private drains and we cover the public sewers. There are also highway drains and gullies that are the local authority's responsiblity.
Understanding sewer pipe responsibility
It’s important to understand who’s responsible for maintaining and repairing sewer pipes and drains, especially if something goes wrong.
If you'd like detailed information about the pipes and sewers in your area, you can request a sewer map from us.
Home-owner and water user responsibility
The home owner is responsible for maintaining most drain pipes in a property boundary. If you rent your home, your landlord or letting agent will be responsible for these pipes.
If your private drain pipes become blocked, you’ll need to contact a drain clearing company for help and to clear the blockage.
Most shared drainage or sewer pipes will be the responsibility of the water company.
For example, your bathroom waste may travel down a pipe from your toilet – the home-owner’s responsibility – to another pipe that runs along a terrace of houses and takes
that waste to the public sewer. That connecting pipe is usually our responsibility.
Water company responsibility
The large sewers outside of your property boundary, for example under the road or footpath, are owned by us and we repair and maintain them.
We’re also owners of most sections of sewer pipes and drains that you share with your neighbours.
However, if your home was built after 2011, shared pipes like these will be the
responsibility of the home owner.
If any section of the public sewer is blocked and causes you an issue, report the problem to us and we'll come out to investigate, establish the cause and clear the blockage.
Responsibility for highway drains
We are not responsible for blocked highway drains. You should report blocked highway drains to the relevant local authority - usually your county council. They are responsible for keeping road gullies clear so that water can drain away freely. If a gully becomes blocked and causes flooding in the road, the Highways Authority will be responsible for clearing it.
We are partly responsible for highway drainage, which is why you'll see a highway drainage charge on your bill. If too much water enters our sewers and drains, and that casues them to overflow, we are responsible.
Help with sewer flooding
