Drainage and sewage

Thames Water are responsible for ensuring the maintenance and clearance of public sewers within the Borough. If you have a blocked drain or sewer check with them first to see who is responsible by ringing their customer service on 08459 200 800. If it is theirs then they will arrange to clear it otherwise the responsibility to clear or repair a private drain or sewer will rest with those that use it.

Drainage that only serves one property is usually the responsibility of the owner of the property. If a drain was laid before 1937 and serves more than one property, it is normally the responsibility of Thames Water to deal with the problem.

What is a private drain or sewer?

Drains and sewers are the pipes that carry foul waste and/or surface water away from one or more houses. Depending on the age of the property in which you live, this system may be yours or Thames Water’s responsibility to unblock or repair.

If a blockage affects more than one property that was built after 1937, the residential team may serve notice on all households connected to the sewer. The notice would order the blockage to be cleared within 48 hours, and we will charge the owners of the houses served by the sewer for clearing the blockage and for any extra fees and costs.

Private drains serve just one property. These are the owners responsibility to unblock or repair. Private sewers serve properties, which have been built after 1937 and are connected to a single drainage system for example, a block of flats or a row of houses all using the same pipes. Private sewers are usually the owner’s responsibility. The deeds of your property will tell you when your home was built.