Sewers
Who is responsible for clearing blocked sewers?
The water company to whom you pay your sewage rates is responsible if the blockage is in a public sewer. In Uttlesford this will be either Anglian Water Services or Thames Water Utilities, depending on where you live. If, however, the blockage occurs in a private sewer, it is the responsibility of the owner(s) of those properties which drain into it.
How do I know if a sewer is public or private?
Any sewer is private up to the point where it joins a public sewer, even if that is beyond the boundary of your property. It may extend under a public highway or even through gardens not in your ownership. All sink wastes, wc connections, downpipes, gully connections, soakaways, cesspools and septic tanks are private.
However, some sewers constructed before 1 October 1937, with two or more houses in separate ownership connected to them and draining together into a public sewer, may be public themselves.
The council keeps records of the locations of most of the public sewers in the district and these are available for inspection during normal office hours at the Council Offices, Saffron Walden.
How do I find out the length of private sewer for which I am responsible?
Householders are responsible for the private sewer serving their property. A group of houses often share a private sewer and in this case the sewer is the joint responsibility of all the householders concerned. Before buying a property it is a good idea to establish the length of private sewer serving it. This is sometimes shown on the Deed Plan of your property.
Neither the council nor the water companies have any statutory duty to keep records of private sewers.
Can I treat private sewer blockages myself?
You may be able to deal with a minor blockage and save yourself time and money, if you have the necessary equipment to hand. A medium sized hand plunger should cope with most blocked sinks. You will also need a spanner of the correct size to remove the trap under the sink. A set of drain rods should be sufficient to clear most private sewers.
Do not use unsuitable equipment, such as lengths of timber, because if they break they can make a problem far more difficult to deal with.
Blockages of a more serious nature will require professional help. Sewers can be blocked by tree roots or can collapse due to the weight of traffic. In such instances, or where the sewer cannot be cleared with drain rods, you will need to call a cleansing specialist.
Who should I contact to clear a blockage in a private sewer and who pays?
Specialist companies can be found in "Yellow Pages" under Drain and Pipe. These companies will expect the person who called them out to pay the bill in full. That person will have to claim a proportion of the cost from any other properties connected to the sewer. Some private sewers serve a large number of properties, as many as 250 in some cases. It is the responsibility of all these householders to share the cost of maintenance works.
Why do I have to pay to clear blockages on a private sewer when already pay water rates?
Water rates only cover the cost of clearance of public sewers together with other services such as sewage treatment and water supply.
Who is responsible if I live in rented accommodation?
You should contact your landlord who will normally be responsible for any private sewers serving the property, unless your tenancy agreement says otherwise.
Who is responsible for clearing sewer blockages affecting council-owned properties?
If the property has a private sewer then the council, as landlord, is responsible. The tenant should contact the council's housing repairs section who will arrange to have the blockage cleared.
What about former council properties which are now privately owned?
If your property is connected to a sewer which also drains council properties, responsibility for the private sewer is shared by all the properties connected to it. The council will only pay its proportional share of the cleansing cost and the other properties connected to the sewer must pay the rest.
What causes blockages and how can I avoid them?
Most blockages are the result of the wrong substances being put down the drain. One of the most common is foodstuffs such as tea leaves or rice. Hot fats, in particular, should never be poured down the sink because they solidify in the sewer. Another common cause is disposable nappies and sanitary towels. These can easily block a sewer and should never be flushed down the toilet. Using a safe chemical cleaner occasionally can help to prevent blockages.
What should I do if there is a persistent problem with blockages or a suspected defect in a private sewer?
Unless the owners of the sewer can co-operate to remedy a problem themselves, the Council has legal powers to carry out the necessary works and to recharge all the property owners. These problems are dealt with by the Environmental Services Section of the Council.
WHICH WATER COMPANY?
The following list should help you to identify which water company you should contact to deal with a blockage in a public sewer:
[A] = Anglian Water [T] = Thames Water (If your parish is not listed there are no public sewers)
- Ashdon [A]
- High Roding [A/T]1
- Barnston [A]
- Langley [T]
- Berden [T]
- Leaden Roding [T]
- Birchanger [T]
- Littlebury [A]
- Broxted [A]
- Manuden [T]
- Canfield (Lt only) [T]
- Margaret Roding [T]
- Chesterfords [A]
- Newport [A]
- Chrishall [A]
- Quendon[A/T]1
- Rickling [A/T]1
- Clavering [T]
- Radwinter [A]
- Debden [A]
- Saffron Walden [A]
- Dunmow (Gt) [A]
- Sampford (Gt only) [A]
- Dunmow (Lt) [A]
- Sewards End [A]
- Eastons [A]
- Stansted [T]
- Elmdon [A]
- Stebbing [A]
- Elsenham [A/T]1
- Takeley [T]
- Farnham [T]
- Thaxted [A]
- Felsted [ A]
- Ugley Green [T]
- Hadstock [A]
- Wendens Ambo [A]
- Hallingburys [T]
- Wenden Lofts [A]
- Hatfield Broad Oak [T]
- White Roding [T]
- Hatfield Heath [T]
- Wicken Bonhunt [A]
- Hempstead [A]
- Widdington [A]
- Henham [A/T]1
- Wimbish [A]
- High Easter [A]
1 Both water companies are responsible for some for the sewers in these parishes. Please check
Useful Telephone Numbers
Anglian Water Services: 0345 145145 (24 - hour)
Thames Water Utilities: 0645 200800 (24 - hour)