Sewers And Drainage In Great Britain

If you are a homeowner the chances are that you will need to use a drainage company or a plumber at some point in time.

Unfortunately, if you have already had drainage problems at your home, you will probably know how important it is to take fast action to avoid this kind of hazard.

This is something that has happened at least once, to all of us, although unless you are a drainage expert, clearing drain problems is something that most normal citizens want to avoid. As a rule the best way to tackle a drainage problem is to never correct an issue unless you feel 100% confident in your ability to fix the problem.

If you are living in the UK, it is important to know the difference between drains and sewers as it will determine if you have any responsibility for repairs, maintenance and the clearance of any drain blockages.

First of all, here are a few brief remarks about drainage and sewage terminology; what is what?

A drain is the length of pipe serving one single property by which waste is drawn away. Once that pipe connects with another property 's drain, the system becomes a sewer.

A public sewer is basically a sewer vested to a water authority by virtue of the requirements of Section 20 of the Public Health Act 1936 (amended by Section 40 and Paragraph 33 of the 8th schedule to the Water Act 1973). A private sewer, on the other hand, is a sewer which is not in those requirements.

Therefore, if the sewer was built before 1936, it will usually belong to a water authority and if it was constructed after this date, it will usually be a private sewer up to the point where it joins a public sewer.

All private sewers are the responsibility of the owners of the properties that utilise them, up to where it connects to the public sewer. The maintenance and repair duty does not end at the property limit as it can extend across a neighbour's land, even under footpaths and roads, until it connects with a public sewer.

If the sewer is public, your water bill should indicate which company or water authority is responsible for clearing drain blockages and for any maintenance required.

According to the Consumer Council for Water, around 8.6 million properties in England and Wales are connected to privately-owned sewers. This means that nearly half of all properties in the UK, and therefore a vast amount of people, are not aware of which parts of the system they are responsible for and what to do if there is a drain problem.

by: Enrique Gil

POST COMMENT

Test version of Final Fantasy XIV and FFXIII in the box Oil Furnace: Pros and Cons Prevent Your Number From Being Collected And Avoid Junk Calls Accidents At Work - Dos And Don'ts Unique Handmade Silk Scarves and Shawls – The Perfect Keepsakes Doha Nightlife – The pulsating and cosmopolitan realm of the city Stock Update On Cbis, Wpnv And Siri From Pennytobuck.com How to plan for incredible hen nights and hen parties in Brighton Know How Short Guys Can Look And Feel More Confident Diwali The True Meaning And Greetings How To Buy Structured Settlements - Practical Guidance A 12-year-old's Daily And Weekly "grillings" The Wedded Life And What It Requires