Definitions:

1. Drain - A drain serves a single property.  The owner of a property is responsible for the upkeep of all drains serving it.
2. Sewer - A sewer serves more than one property.  Sewers are either privately or publicly owned.
3. Private sewer - Serves more than one property and is the responsibility of those properties with waste draining into it. These responsibilities include clearing blockages and repairing any defects. Most post-war properties are served by private sewers.
4. Public sewer - These are the responsibility of Anglian Water in Huntingdonshire. Some pre-war properties are served by public sewers.

What we do

1. Investigate recurring drainage problems.
2. Offer free advice on drainage problems.
3. Where necessary take enforcement action in order to resolve drainage problems.

Our Procedure

If you contact the Council’s Environmental Health Service  to deal with a drainage problem then the procedure laid out below will be followed: on receipt of a drainage complaint an officer will contact you as soon as s/he can. The officer will ask you:

• The nature of the problem
• The age of the property – and whether it was built before 1937
• If the property was built before October 1937 and adjacent properties are also affected then the problem may be the responsibility of Anglian Water  –contact them on 08457 145 145.
• If the property was built after 1937 then the officer will ask:
• If any neighbouring properties are affected;
• If there is any history of problems with the drainage system; and
• How many properties are connected to the private sewer?

The officer will seek to identify whether the problem is a blocked drain, private sewer or a different problem that needs to be investigated and will give advice about possible remedies. The cost of repairs to drains and private sewers are the responsibility of the owners of those properties on the affected private sewer or drain. 

An officer will visit you if necessary, to identify who is on the affected system and advise all parties of their legal duties and responsibilities. A private contractor may be the cheapest option if all the affected neighbours agree to share the costs.

For simple blockages the officer may advise that works must be carried out within 2 working days of their initial inspection, or they may allow longer if the remedy is complicated/likely to be expensive. If no action has been taken in a reasonable time then legal Notices will be served. These will go to all appropriate parties. If the work is not completed within the time limit specified on the Notices the Council will carry out the works on your behalf and will then recharge all affected parties for the cost of the works.