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Contact Information
Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough Council,
Town Hall, Coton Road,
Nuneaton, Warwickshire,
CV11 5AA
Town Hall, Coton Road,
Nuneaton, Warwickshire,
CV11 5AA
Tel: 024 7637 6376
Drainage Systems and Disrepair
Definition of Terms
- Drain - This is the pipework serving only one property.
- Sewer - This is the pipework serving two or more properties. When two drains join they become a sewer. On modern estates a sewer can serve many houses and run the whole length of the road.
- Foul Drain/Sewer - Pipes which carry waste water and sewage.
- Surface Water Drain/Sewer - Pipes which only carry rainwater.
Householders responsibilities
Until drains and sewers connect with the public sewer they are classified as private and as such, are the responsibility of each person who owns the building served by the pipework. When you buy a property you also buy and accept responsibility for any drains and private sewers which serve it.
In many cases the owner of the property will have a joint responsibility for a private sewer which is beyond the boundary of their property.
Your responsibility does not always end at your boundary.
Severn Trent Water Ltd. Responsibilities
Severn Trent Water Limited constructs and maintains the public sewers and provides sewage treatment works where the waste is treated and properly disposed of. Public sewers normally run beneath roads, pavements and grass verges, but not in all cases. The Council keeps plans showing the location of public sewers. Members of the public can ask to see these and copies are available for a fee. Please contact the Planning and Development reception.
Other drainage services offered by the Council
Drain clearance
Although as explained the responsibility for cleaning obstructed drains and private sewers lies with the owner(s), the Council does offer a private sewer clearing service for householders which is subject to a charge. This service is designed for one-off blockages, not recurring problems.
If there is a recurrence of the problem, the Council will investigate the cause and seek to get it rectified.
However, the private sewer clearing service does not include unblocking sink and waste pipes or simple W.C. obstructions. To arrange for a sewer to be cleared telephone: (024) 7637 6535.
Emptying cesspool etc.
The Council does not provide this service.
What if the Drain/Sewer cannot be cleared
Pipes that have subsided, been crushed or have become blocked by a large object will not be properly cleared by rodding. The pipework will have to be dug up and repaired.
Problems can occur when the pipework is the joint responsibility of a number of householders. The Council will give advice to households who wish to engage their own contractor. Where the householders cannot agree the Council will serve legal notices on the affected householders. This will give a reasonable amount of time for the householders to have the work carried out.
If the work is not carried out after the time has expired the Council can arrange to have the work carried out by a contractor and recharge cost to the owners of the properties served by the drain or sewer.
How much will it cost?
Every case will be different. Most of the cost of a drainage excavation will be labour charges. The deeper the pipework, the more costly the excavation will be. Household insurance may cover the work providing it is not due to normal wear and tear. You are advised to check that your household insurance policy adequately covers pipework and fittings. If repairs are required you should let your insurance company know as early as possible.
Action to prevent drainage problems
- Never cover over manhole lids, they may have to be lifted up to rod if the drainage blocks.
- Check there is no loose brickwork in manhole chambers. Loose bricks may fall and block the system.
- Do not extend a house over pipework or manholes without taking specialist advice.
- Changing underground drainage is likely to require Building Regulation Approval.
- Don’t pour anything into drainage that will solidify and block it. For example fat, plaster, cement and grouting mixtures.
- It is dangerous and illegal to discharge toxic and flammable chemicals into the drains. Examples include oil, petrol, paraffin, etc.
- Don’t try to clear blockages in external pipework with anything apart from proper drainage rods. Lengths of timber, garden canes, etc. are not suitable and may cause further problems.
- Items such as paper towels, disposable nappies, incontinence pads etc. should not be put down the w.c. Take care with plastic disinfectant blocks.
- It is unwise to plant trees or large shrubs near the line of a drain or sewer. The roots can penetrate the pipes and cause a major obstruction.
- When plumbing in an automatic washing machine or other appliance make sure it discharges into the foul drains. If in doubt contact the Environmental Housing Section to check.
