Drains and Sewers

What are Sewers and Drains?

Helpful definitions:
There are two kinds of wastewater, foul water, and surface water. The two must be kept separate and the one not discharged to the other.
Foul Water - Toilets, sinks, baths, showers and kitchen appliances make up the foul waste water discharge. This must outfall either at a place where it can be properly treated or stored for disposal at a later date. This could be a public waste water treatment works or a private cesspool, septic tank or bio digester unit before it can be discharged into the environment or taken away in tankers for further treatment.

Surface Water - Water issuing from roof down pipes and drains in driveways or open paved areas on your property, which collect the rainwater make up the fresh surface water discharge. This may be connected to a system of pipes forming a surface water sewer, be directed to a soakaway or straight to a water course.

Drain - A drain is a pipe taking foul or surface water flows from one property.

Sewer - A sewer is a pipe taking foul or surface water flows from two or more properties.

Sewage - Is the effluent or water that passes through the sewer or drain.

Sewerage - Is the system or network of pipes that form the sewer connections from head to discharge at the treatment works or other final outfall.

Public or Main Sewer - A public or main sewer is part of the network of publicly owned foul or surface water drainage systems. These systems are managed by the sewerage undertaker and accept the flows from the smaller private drains.

Surcharge - When flows cannot be contained within the piped system then the excess flows will escape (surcharge) through the nearest low or weakest point upstream of the restriction, usually an inspection chamber.

Responsibilities for drains and sewers.
As and from the 1st October 2011 responsibility for maintaining all private sewers and lateral drains located in the Thames Water Utilities Ltd sewerage area (the whole of Surrey Heath is within this area) were transferred to them. Accordingly any problems encountered with your lateral drains beyond the curtilage of your home and sewers should in the first instance be reported to Thames by telephoning 08459 200 800. (This is the same even though you may pay your water bills to a different company).

Thames Water should dispatch a drainage engineer to inspect the system and ascertain the cause of the problem. If the blockage or defect is located in the public sewer system they will arrange for its clearance or repair without further cost to the enquirer. If however they discover that the problem is not connected with their system and it is either part of a private drain or sewer system they will refer it back to the owners. They may offer to clear or repair the defects but please be aware they can then charge for this work.
How does the sewer/sewerage system for my property work?

If your property is of individual design (e.g. not of similar look to your neighbours) then it is likely to have been constructed with a single drainage connection (one for foul/waste water and possibly one for surface water as well) into the main public sewers. In these circumstances there will probably be a private drain from the house to the property boundary (curtilage), which is the private responsibility of the owner or occupier of the property but from there onwards it is the responsibility of Thames Water.

If your property is of similar design (e.g. of similar look to your neighbours and likely to have been developed at the same time) then the property is likely to have been connected to several other properties. In these circumstances each house will have a lateral drain emerging from it and each will be the responsibility of the owner or occupier of that particular house. From the point where two or more drains join together it is the responsibility of Thames Water.

Thames Water website contains definitions and pictures of what should be a public sewer and what might still be a private lateral drain. If you are in any doubt as to whether the problem is located in the public system or it is one for private action to resolve you must contact Thames Water who can provide you with a definitive answer.

• Thames Water Utilities Ltd. Opens in a new window

Where there is dispute you can bring this to the attention of the Local Authority who may investigate the matter for you. Ultimately however the responsibility will be either a private one or one falling to Thames Water Utilities Ltd. If you are in any way dis-satisfied with the service you have received from them you will have to make a formal complaint firstly through Thames Water's complaints procedures and then if still dis-satisfied through the Water Industry Regulator OFWAT.

What happens if I don't have a surface water system?
If there is no sign of a surface water drainage system then the property is likely to have a soakaway for surface water disposal. Alternatively, the property could be connected to a nearby watercourse (ditch).

Cesspools and Septic Tanks
These are still used in outlying areas of the Borough where there is no connection to the treatment works or other public outfall. If operated with care and consideration, and in the right ground conditions, they can work satisfactorily for extended periods. If you need yours emptying, you will need to find a suitable contractor. The Council does not offer this service so you should seek companies through the usual trade papers or internet sites. If you do not empty your septic tank or cesspool and it causes flooding to your or any other third party land the Council may have to take formal action to ensure that it is emptied.

My neighbour's cesspool/septic tank/foul drain is overflowing. What shall I do?
In the interests of good neighbour relations you should, first of all, advise your neighbour as often they will not have realised. Most will respond favourably and get it sorted out. If a resolution is not found then please report the matter to Private Sector Housing Enforcement in Planning, Development & Homes by telephoning 01276 707100. They will then take the matter up with the owner directly.

How can I reduce the incidence of blockages in my drain or the public sewer?
Items such as disposable nappies, sanitary products, cotton buds, food waste, hot fat etc should never be put down the toilet or sink, these should instead be wrapped and binned. Do make everyone in your household aware of the consequences!

My drain is blocked, what can I do?
First and foremost it must be cleared without delay. If you are competent enough to attend to the blockage yourself it is often surprisingly simple to clear with a set of drain rods, some knowledge of your property and a little common sense. However, you will need to take some simple Health and Safety precautions such as attention to personal hygiene, and care to avoid accidents with inspection covers and open chambers. If you are in doubt or not confident in approaching the problem yourself, then ask friends and family to recommend a specialist contractor or jobbing builder.

My drains are blocked, can anybody help?
Surrey Heath Borough Council has no direct labour to deal with problem blockages to private drains. If you do not have friends and family that can recommend a specialist contractor you can use any of the recognised trade papers or internet sites for contractors who can deal with the problem for you. Please be aware that these companies may charge higher than average fees, particularly outside normal working hours. Others may spend increased time on site (with increased charges) as they may have little or no knowledge and experience of drainage problems. Always ask for a scale of charges first and get more than one quote.

Is it possible for the Council to arrange for clearance?
If you wish, the Council can arrange for a clearance; the current charges are available on request from Private Sector Housing Enforcement in Planning, Development & Homes. Please be aware though that the Council will be using a local contractor and will charge an Agency fee of 30% of the cost for clearances and 16% for repairs. You may be able to get the work done at lower cost if you arrange things yourself. The scale of charges however only covers the clearance of basic blockages. Where there is a defect, collapse or other damage that requires repair or the clearance requires the use of specialist plant and other equipment then this will be reflected in the final invoice the true nature of which would be subject to speculation on a case by case basis.

Please also be aware that should you have a blocked drain and it remains un-cleared such that it causes nuisance or otherwise affects neighbouring households or the general public then the Council may have to take formal action to ensure it is cleared. This will usually take the form of a clearance notice. Failure to comply with the requirements of such a notice will result in the Council carrying out the works in default and re-charging the cost incurred back to the notice recipient together with the appropriate administrative charges.

If your question hasn't been fully answered and you feel you need further advice or information please do not hesitate to contact one of the Private Sector Housing Enforcement Officers or the Drainage Engineer in Planning Development and Homes by telephoning 01276 707100.