To request advice or assistance on blocked drains you can contact the Environmental Services department on 01223 457890 or report a problem
Establishing who is responsible for blocked drains can be a complicated issue. There are two types of drainage pipes, drains and sewers.
Every property has underground pipes connected to it. These are called drains and are usually made of clay or plastic and take sewage or rainwater from just one property. No other properties are connected to the drain. But it is common for the drains of several properties to join together into a shared pipe. This is called a sewer.
Who owns drainage pipes?
Some pipes belong to owners or occupiers of buildings or land. Others are owned by water companies such as Anglian Water. You can determine ownership from the age of the properties that are connected to the pipes and whether the pipes are drains or sewers.
Who owns a drain?
Drains legally belong to the owner or occupier of the property they are connected to even if they go under someone else's land or road. The owner or occupier is responsible for maintaining or unblocking them when there are problems.
Who owns a sewer?
Sewer pipes will often run along the front or back of several properties or towards the road. The age of the properties connected to them is important because it determines who owns the sewer.With properties built before October 1937, the shared sewer pipe is called a public sewer. These are owned by the water company which serves your area and they are legally responsible for maintaining them. In Cambridge this is Anglian Water.
For properties built after October 1937 the shared sewer pipe is called a private sewer. These belong jointly to all the people who own the properties that connect to them. But the law says that if they are blocked or broken, it is only the owners "up stream" of the blockage or break who are responsible for solving the problem. This might sound unfair but your local Environmental Health Officer can provide advice on action to take.
What if the drain or sewer becomes blocked?
First, try and find out if anyone else is affected. Have a word with your neighbours. Blockages will often cause waste water to overflow from manhole covers or drainage gulleys outside, or cause toilets and sinks to empty too slowly.
Clearing a blocked drain
If you're sure that it's only your house that's affected, you'll probably need to contact a drain clearing specialist. They usually try to clear the blockage first by using either a high pressure water jet or drainage rods. If you're not sure if it's only your drain that's blocked you may wish to speak to the Environmental Services department for advice.
Clearing a blocked sewer
If you're sure that several properties are affected, it's likely that the problem is in the sewer (the 'shared' drainage pipe).
If the sewer takes waste water away from properties that were built before October 1937, it's a public sewer. So you should contact Anglian Water as they are responsible for sorting the problem out they can be contacted via their website.
If the sewer takes waste water away from properties built after 1937, it's a private sewer. You and the other owners affected are jointly responsible, and need to arrange for it to be cleared you may wish to contact us for advice.
Choosing a specialist contractor
Your Environmental Services can give advice, and you can find contractors in Yellow Pages, Thompsons or other trade directories under "drainage and pipe cleaning". Ask before they visit if there is a call out charge, and what that charge is likely to be. Many blockages can be cleared by rodding or high pressure jetting. This will usually cost about £50.00. If the contractors can't clear the blockage, and say they need to dig up the pipe, make sure they tell you exactly what they are going to do and how much it will cost BEFORE they start the work.
Will my building insurance cover any costs?
Drain or sewer problems may be covered for insurance purposes, but check with your building insurance company before you call a contractor.
01223 457890
email: env.health@cambridge.gov.uk
Fax 01223 457909
