Who is Responsible for Public Sewer Connections?

If you’ve got a property that’s recently been built or developed, the chances are it will need connecting up to the public sewer network. We don’t normally think about things like public sewer connections. We see sewers as part of large-scale utilities that somebody else looks after. But if your property does require connecting up to the public sewer it is your responsibility.

Sewerage companies are responsible for the sewers themselves, and with this responsibility come certain rights of access, which covers private gardens where sewer pipes cross. So if there’s work required to the public sewer and it falls on your land, this would normally be taken care of by the sewerage company.

However, drains and private sewers carrying household waste are the responsibility of the householder or landlord. So where this local network requires connection to the public sewer, it is the private individual’s responsibility to arrange it. As with other utilities, the point at which the household waste connects with the public sewer marks the boundary.
If you want to connect your property to the public sewerage network, you’ll need to apply for a connection that complies with Section 106 of the Water Industry Act. The easiest way to go about this is to find a qualified contractor who will do the job.

We have a vast amount of experience with public sewer connections, employing a variety of different methods for completing this work, depending on the individual circumstances of the property involved. We’ll be able to advise you on what the best kind of connection will be suitable for your property.

Once the work is complete you’ll need to obtain a Certificate of Satisfactory Inspection. The Water Authority issues this once their inspector has thoroughly assessed your new public sewer connection. This is another reason why it makes sense to use a properly qualified, experienced contractor in the first place.

So the short answer to the question of who is responsible for your public sewer connection is that it’s you. But we’ll happily do the work on your behalf, to highest professional standard. Contact Drainage Consultants for more information about how we can help you.

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