For blocked or defective drains to Council properties, contact housing repairs on (0116) 252 7007 (Monday to Friday 8.30am to 8pm and Saturday 8.30am to 4.30pm). For emergencies outside these times, telephone (0116) 254 9439.
If you have a complaint or query about faulty drainage, including blocked drains only affecting one property and Severn Trent Water have told you it is not their responsibility, please contact our Customer Service Line.
Drainage
A drain is a single run of pipes used for the drainage of one building or any building or yards within the same curtilage (boundary of the property).
The owner of the property served by a drain is responsible for maintenance of it (i.e. clearing blockages and repairing any faults) up to where it crosses their boundary; after that it is the responsibility of Severn Trent Water.
A sewer takes drainage from a number of drains and includes inspection chambers, pumps, ventilation shafts etc. A sewer therefore serves more than one property. Severn Trent Water are responsible for the repair and maintenance of all foul sewers.
Faulty Drainage
We investigate complaints regarding faulty drainage, usually referred to us by Pest Control Technicians. We can carry out tests to check the integrity of the pipes, these tests include:
Drainage Dyes
If water is leaking into a cellar, different pipes may be dye tested. Whichever dye is later found in the cellar denotes the pipe from which the water is leaking. Further tests may then be carried out to find out where on that pipe the fault is.
Smoke Tests
Smoke is admitted into a drainpipe and all possible exits are blocked. If smoke comes out of cracks in the paving, in the attic, via rat holes etc., this indicates that the drainpipe has a fault.
Drain Cameras
These are used to detect exactly where the fault on a drainpipe is located.
When the tests are completed, the owner or owners of the drainpipe where the fault is found are usually sent an informal letter giving details of the problem and advice on how to deal with it. If the defect continues to cause a problem, a Statutory Notice can be served. This will give a time period in which the fault must be repaired. If the works are not carried out, we can carry out the works in default and charge the owners of the properties that the drain/sewer serves, plus any administration costs incurred.
Relevant Legislation:
Building Act 1984
Public Health Act 1961
Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976
Relevant Statistics:
From 1st April 2010 to 31st March 2011 we dealt with 284 complaints about defective drains and 286 complaints about blocked drains and sewers.
