Blocked Drains and Sewers

This page explains the difference between public and private sewers and drains, and who is responsible for each if they block or require repairs or maintenance.

Definitions

Generally a drain is a pipe taking waste or rain water from one property.

A private sewer begins where the drain joins another pipe, and is then serving two or more buildings.

A public sewer is the main branch of the sewerage system which carries waste water to the sewage treatment works. Smaller branches of the system serving buildings built before 1936, may also be classed as public sewers.

Public sewers

In Oadby and Wigston, Severn Trent Water is responsible for drainage problems to the public sewers. If you know or suspect that a problem is associated with a public sewer, you should contact Severn Trent Water on 0800 783 4444.

Private sewers

From 1 October 2011, Severn Trent Water have taken the responsibility for private sewers. Before this date they were the responsibility of each owner or occupier whose properties they served.

Drains

Drains are the responsibility of the property owner, up to the point when either -

1. They join drainage pipes from other properties, at which point they become a private sewer, or

2. They cross the boundary of the property. Once they cross the boundary, providing they are still serving only one property, they are called lateral drains and they become the responsibility of Severn Trent Water.

To find out more about these differences, follow the related link on this page to Severn Trent Water.

What to do if your drainage pipes are blocked

If you believe the blockage is in your drain and affecting your property only, it will be your responsibility to clear it by doing the work yourself or by getting a contractor to do it. If you are not sure about what to do, contact environmental health for advice.

If you are not sure where the blockage is you can call either Severn Trent Water on 0800 783 4444 or contact environmental health.

A check will be made to confirm where the blockage is and you will be advised either to contact Severn Trent Water if the blockage is in a private sewer or lateral drain, or that the responsibility is yours if it is a drain within your property boundary.

Please contact environmental health if you would like any advice about how to keep your property drains flowing freely.