From 1st October 2011 new legislation means water and sewage
companies will be responsible for the repair and maintenance to all
shared sewers and for all drains beyond a private property
boundary.
If you are affected by a blockage on your drains or sewers
please call Severn Trent Water on their emergency
number: 0800783 4444.
In most cases, foul waste from your house is carried along a
network of drains and sewers to the sewage works. There are some
houses that are not connected to mains drainage and have a septic
tank or cesspit that has to be periodically emptied.
Rainwater from roofs etc. may go into the foul drainage
system, or into a storm drain/sewer or it may go to a
soakaway.
Whose responsibility are
they?
A drain serves one house, all drains are the responsibility of
the owners of the properties that have use of them.
Responsibility for maintenance and repair of a drain will lie
with the property owner, but will end at the property
boundary.
If you are a tenant renting a property the responsibility
for the drains may lie with your landlord.
The Council has no responsibility for the maintenance
of any sewers or drains in the District apart from those serving
the premises the Council actually owns.
Gullies and drains on the road are normally the
responsibility of Staffordshire County Council. Problems can be
reported using the HOTLINE system, by contacting 0300 111
8020.
What do I do if my drains are blocked?
If you are a tenant, inform your landlord.
You can arrange for the blockage to be cleared yourself. You
will have to pay for this. Contractors are listed in the Yellow
Pages. It is advisable to shop around as charges differ
considerably.
If you have specific insurance to cover this contact them
immediately (having such insurance is advisable, but be aware that
insurers will not tackle problems that are beyond your property
boundary).
The Council does not operate a rodding / drain
clearing service.
External Link: Severn Trent Water