"Drains" are underground pipes that carry waste and surface water from one house or property.
A foul drain takes waste from a toilet, bath, or sink at an individual property, as opposed to a drain that is provided for the sole purpose of taking surface water from roofs/paths etc., and it is most often a blocked or defective foul drain that is the cause of complaint.
When one "drain" meets another arising from two or more properties, it becomes a "sewer".
If a sewer serving more than one property was constructed before October 1937 it is classed as a "public sewer". All sewers constructed after October 1937 are generally classed as "private sewers". Sewers in the highway are classed as "main sewers".
High Peak Borough Council is not responsible for the maintenance of public sewers or main sewers which are affected by a blockage or defect. The regional water providers, United Utilities and Severn Trent Water are responsible for clearing blockages and repairing defects in public sewers and main sewers. The cost of such work is covered by your sewerage charge.
Problems with Public Sewers and Main Sewers should be reported directly to your relevant water undertaker:
United Utilities 0845 746 2200
Severn Trent Water (External website**): 0800 783 4444
Maintaining a private drain in good order is the responsibility of the owner/occupier of the property that the drain serves. If you are a tenant, the responsibility usually lies with the landlord but you should check your tenancy agreement. In the case of a blocked or defective private sewer, the responsibility for remedying the problem rests with the owners of those properties affected by the blockage. Defects in private drainage systems may be covered by household insurance.
How do I know if my drain is blocked?The drains and gullies outside your property will probably overflow and be slow to clear. Downstairs toilets may also be slow to drain. A slowly draining bath or sink, especially upstairs, indicates a blockage in the internal pipework and a qualified plumber should be contacted. If you have an inspection chamber at your property, or if there is one in a neighbouring garden, you should check to see if there is water holding in the chamber. Problems in the external private drainage system should be referred to a specialist contractor. If your neighbours are suffering similarly then the responsibility may be shared. You will almost certainly have to pay to have the drain/sewer cleared or mended if your property is served by a sewer system built after 1937.
We do not offer a drain clearing service. We will only advise on the problem, and take steps to ensure that all relevant parties are informed of their responsibilities. If we believe that a blocked private drain or sewer constitutes a public health risk, Enforcement Notices can be served on the property owners or occupiers which require work to be done. If the work is not done, we can take subsequent action to remedy the problem once the Notices expire and can then recharge the costs to the relevant owners or occupiers.
To report a problem with a private drain or sewer or to get free advice from the Environmental Health service on the matter, contact Call High Peak on 0845 129 77 77 or 01298 28400.
Land drains, open ditches, streams and rivers are, generally, the responsibility of the owner of the land in which they are situated. The Environment Agency (External website**) is the enforcing authority for "main rivers". We act in an advisory capacity only with land drainage enquiries.
A culvert is a watercourse, stream, or natural flow of water that is piped/channelled underground to enable the development of the land through which it flows. The owner of the land through which the culvert or water course is running, is responsible for clearing a blocked culvert. We act in an advisory capacity only with land drainage enquiries, but in the case of culverts the Council may act to ensure that they are kept free of debris, as there can occasionally be a flooding risk depending on the location.
Enquiries regarding land drainage should be made to Call High Peak on 0845 129 77 77 or 01298 28400.
Septic tanks and cesspools are not part of the public sewerage network and are the responsibility of the owners of the properties that they serve. However, we can assist you with identifying the problem. Sometimes this is as simple as having the sludge emptied from the tank. To obtain free advice on septic tank problems, contact Call High Peak on 0845 129 77 77 or 01298 28400. Consent to discharge from a septic tank into a brook, stream or river is controlled by the Environment Agency.
**Please note: High Peak Borough Council is not responsible for the content of any external websites.