Adoption of Private Sewers and Lateral Drains by Water Authorities
Central Government has approved legislation which on the 1st October 2011, transferred ownership of all privately owned shared drains to the water authorities (ie Severn Trent Water Ltd in this area) which have now become "public sewers".
The Private Sewers and Lateral Drains legislation does not amend the drainage legislation within the Building Regulations and as yet Local Authorities have received no guidance from the Government on how this will impact on the requirements of the Building Regulations. It is however assumed that there will be joint responsibility between Local Authorities and the Water Authority to approve new drainage systems.
Water companies should already have contacted all bill payers in their areas to explain the proposals. For further information on the transfer of your drains to the water authority and any impact this may have on proposals to extend your property, please contact :
Severn Trent Water Limited
Telephone 08456 016 616
Severn Trent Water webpage on the transfer of private drains and sewers
Information is also available from:
Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
Telephone 08459 335 577
DEFRA's webage on sewers
Building work and sewers
If you are intending to carry out any of the following work on a property you are advised to seek advice from the Severn Trent Water :
1 Build an extension over or within 3m of a public sewer
2 Construct a new building over or within 3m of a public sewer
3 Make a new drainage connection to a public sewer
Details of how to obtain a Build Over Consent/Agreement with Severn Trent are also available on their website.
