Drainage FAQ’s

Q.  Who is responsible for clearing sewer blockages?

A.   The answer lies in whether the sewer is what is called a ‘public sewer’ or a ‘private sewer’. 

       If the blockage occurs in a public sewer, responsibility lies with Thames Water whose telephone number is 08459 200800.  

       If the blockage occurs in a private sewer, responsibility rests with the owners of those properties which are connected to it.

Q.  What is a public sewer?

A.    A general guide for identifying if a sewer is public is as follows:

(a)   Thames Water holds records of all public sewers and, given the location of the blockage, should be able to advise you whether it is their responsibility or not. 

Also, Epping Forest District Council keeps sewer records which identify the location of most public sewers in the Borough.  These records are available for free public access by visiting Environmental

Services during normal office hours at the Civic Offices.

(b)   Where two or more houses are connected to a sewer, which was constructed BEFORE

       1^ST OCTOBER 1937 and drain together, then that sewer is a public sewer.  If your property was built before this date, and you share a drainage system with neighbouring properties, it is almost certain that this drainage system is a public sewer but Thames Water will be able to confirm this.

Q.  What is a private sewer?

A.   A sewer constructed after 1st October 1937 is almost always a private sewer up to the point where it joins a public   sewer, even if this is beyond the boundary of your property.  A private sewer may extend under a public highway or even through gardens not in your ownership.  There are some instances where post 1937 sewers have been ‘adopted’ by Thames Water and, to obtain a definitive answer, you will need to consult them. 

      All sink  wastes, W.C. connections, downpipes, gully connections, soakaways, cesspools and cesspits are private.

Q.  How do I find out the length of private sewer for which I am responsible?

A.   A group of houses may share a private sewer.  Connections from many houses may drain into a private sewer  before it joins a public sewer.  A shared private sewer is the joint responsibility of the householders concerned.  Before buying a property, it is wise to check and identify the length of private sewer serving the  property.  This may be shown on the Deed Plan of the property.  If no such plans are available, this matter  may be determined only by a site investigation.  The Council may be able to assist in some instances.   We retain some original development plans which may be used to inform the on-site investigation but they are not definitive plans of how any private sewer was originally constructed or how it may subsequently have been changed.  There are no statutory duties imposed on Epping Forest District Council or Thames Water to keep records showing private sewers.

Q.  I live in a property which is now private but was formerly a Council property. Who is responsible for the private sewers?

A.   If your property is connected to a sewer which also drains Council properties, the responsibility for theprivate  sewer is shared by all the properties connected to the private sewer.  The Council will only pay its proportional share of the cost.  The other properties on the sewer line must pay the remaining costs.

Q.  I live in Council-owned property and want to know who is responsible for clearing sewer blockages which affect my property.

A.   If the property is served by a private sewer, then the Council, as landlord, will take responsibility for organising the clearing of the blockage.  If private properties also share this sewer, the Council will deal with re-claiming their share of the expenses incurred.

Q.  Why do I have to pay for the blockages on a private sewer when I already pay my water rates?

A.    Together with other benefits, the water rates only cover the cost of blockages on public sewers.

Q.  What should I do if my private sewer blocks?

A.    It is the responsibility of every householder connected to the private sewer to maintain it and share the cost of maintenance works, including cleansing it of blockages.  If a blockage in a private sewer requires professional attention, the sewer cleansing company will expect the individual, who calls them in, to pay the whole bill.  It is then left to that individual to claim this money from the other households which are connected to the private sewer.  Some private sewers serve large numbers of properties – up to 250 houses in certain cases.  In such circumstances the Council will try to assist householders in whatever way is most appropriate in the circumstances.  You should contact Environmental Health at Epping Forest District Council.

Q.  What causes blockages, and how can I prevent them from occurring.

A.   A blockage can occur for all sorts of reasons.  In most cases it happens because of   what has been put down the drain.  One of the common causes of blockage are foodstuffs, such as tea leaves, rice and hot fats.  Fats should never be poured down the sink as they solidify in the sewers.  Disposable nappies and sanitary towels can easily block the sewers and should not be put down the W.C.

      Sewers can also be blocked by tree roots or can collapse due to traffic loading.  You will not be able to deal with such defects on your own and will need expert help.  You should realise that such help can be very expensive and several firms should be approached for estimates before engaging a firm to carry out the remedial works.  It is appropriate, in instances such as these, to commission a closed-circuit television (CCTV) survey to assist in determining the cause of blockages and in specifying remedial works.

Q.  What equipment do I need to clear a blockage in a private sewer?

A.    If a blockage does occur, then having something to hand to deal with it may save you time, money and inconvenience.  A medium-sized hand plunger should cope with most blocked sinks.  You should also have a spanner of the correct size to remove the trap underneath the sink.  A set of drain rods should be sufficient to clear most blocked private sewers.  If a blocked private sewer cannot be cleared by your use of the drain rods, then you will probably need the services of a sewer cleansing specialist.

Q.  Who can I call in to clear my private sewer blockage?

A.   The Council does not provide a service to clear drains and sewers but local specialist companies can be found in the “Yellow Pages” under Drains & Pipes. You are advised to confirm the costs prior to employing a company to carry out the clearance.  In addition some companies request details of your credit card before carrying out the works. You should never give or show the contractor your credit card prior to clearing the blockage. The Council does not provide an out of hours service for sewer blockages.

Q.  What should I do if there is a persistent number of blockages or a suspected defect in the private sewer?

A.   If the owners of the sewer cannot co-operate to remedy the problem themselves, the Council has thepower in law to serve notice and carry out the work for remedying blockages and defects and will normally recharge all the owners of the private sewer.  These problems are dealt with by Environmental Health.

If you require further advice, do not hesitate to contact us.