Sewers

Contents

- Who is responsible for clearing blocked sewers?

- Can I treat drain blockages myself?

- Who is responsible if I live in rented accommodation?

- What causes blockages and how can I avoid them?

- What should I do if there is a persistent problem with blockages or a suspected defect which is not the responsibility of the water companies?

- Which water company is responsible for the sewers?

There are two water companies - Anglian Water and Thames Water - responsible for managing the public sewers in Uttlesford.
 

Who is responsible for clearing blocked sewers?

In Uttlesford this will be either Anglian Water Services or Thames Water, depending on where you live. Water companies are also responsible for clearing blockages in private sewers, that is pipework which is shared between two or more properties, and in lateral drains, that is pipework which drains one property but lies outside the curtilage of the property.

Where pipework serves one property only and is within its curtilage, a blockage or damage will remain the responsibility of the owner(s) of the property.

Private sewage treatment facilities which do not connect with a public sewer remain the responsibility of the current owner.
 

Can I treat drain 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 drains.

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.

Drains can be blocked by tree roots or can collapse due to the weight from above.

If you cannot clear the drain with drain rods you'll need to get professional help.
 

Who is responsible if I live in rented accommodation?

You should contact your landlord who will normally be responsible for any drains serving the property, unless your tenancy agreement says otherwise.

If you live in a council owned property  you'll need to contact our housing repairs section. They will arrange to have the blockage cleared.
 

What causes blockages and how can I avoid them?

If you put things like fat, oil and grease (FOG) down your sink, and sanitary waste and wipes (known as unflushables) down the loo, it can block sewer pipes and pumps. This can then cause flooding in homes and gardens and make sewage spill into local rivers and waterways.

Anglian Water has advice on keeping sewer pipes clear.
 

What should I do if there is a persistent problem with blockages or a suspected defect which is not the responsibility of the water companies?

Contact our Environmental Health team who will be able to offer advice.
 

Which water company is responsible for the sewers?

We've listed the water companies responsible for the public sewers in Uttlesford. If your parish is not listed there are no public sewers.

[A] = Anglian Water Tel. 03457 145145 (24 hour)

[T] = Thames Water Tel. 0800 316 9800 (24 hour)

• 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.