How can I find out whether there is a public sewer on my property?

Question

How can I find out whether there is a public sewer on my property?

Answer

Generally the deeds of your house will advise you of the fact, your solicitor will probably have advised you at the time of purchase.

Thames Water Utilities, the drainage authority, have provided Surrey Heath Borough Council with computer based information showing the location of public sewers throughout the Borough. You can view this information, free of charge at all reasonable hours in the Council Offices. There are staff on hand to help you with the technology if you require it.

You will need the specific consent of Thames Water Utilities to build over or within 3m of a public sewer. If they are not happy for you to build over they will refuse permission and instruct the Council to refuse the building regulation application.

When you deposit a Building Notice application or Full Plans application you are required to show the location of any public sewer on your land.

Since 1 October 2011, any drains that serve more than one property are now the responsibility of Thames Water Utilities. Any proposals to build over or within close proximity to these drains require consent from the water authority. For information, see the link below:
http://www.thameswater.co.uk/cps/rde/xchg/corp/hs.xsl/11425.htm Opens in a new window

Visit www.developerservices.co.uk Opens in a new window for further information.

This advice relates solely to Building Control Opens in a new window matters and you should consult the planning pages of the website or the planning portal Opens in a new window website for advice on planning matters.