Drainage and sewers

You may have a problem with the drains serving your property if your:

• Sink gully or inspection chamber outside is overflowing.
• Toilet is blocked.
• Guttering and downpipes are dislodged or blocked.

However, not all drainage problems are as a result of a problem occurring within a property. If the defect is outside, then it may be worth calling Yorkshire Water 0345 124 2424 as they may be responsible.

The Council can offer advice and guidance and has certain legal powers to deal with issues on privately owned property.

We may be able to assist and you can report them to us, if: 

• Your neighbours’ property is causing you a problem, or
• Your landlord refuses to undertake any essential repair works.

The owner or occupier is responsible for cleaning and carrying out any necessary repairs to drains within private properties. However, not all drainage problems are as a result of a problem occurring within a property. If the defect is outside, then it depends where it is in the drainage system, as to who is responsible.

The Council can offer advice and guidance and has certain legal powers to deal with issues on privately owned property.

Explanation of drains and sewers

• A private drain is a pipe inside the property boundary carrying waste water/sewage or surface water from an individual property. These are often referred to as private drains. This is due to the responsibility for maintenance, repair and clearance lies with the owner of the property.
• A lateral drain is the part of a drain which lies outside the property boundary. In some cases, this can be located in a neighbours garden, an alleyway or road beyond the property. In most cases this is the responsibility of Yorkshire Water
• A sewer is a pipe that carries waste water/sewage or surface water from more than one property. In most cases this is the responsibility of Yorkshire Water

If you need to know about the position of public sewers, contact: Yorkshire Water - Whose pipe is it?

For a print from the public sector record, contact: Yorkshire Water - SafeMove. (A fee may be payable.)

Please note: The Council does not hold detailed records of any private drainage.

Yorkshire Water is not responsible for sewers that:

• Connect to private treatment works or a septic tank.
• Carry water directly to a watercourse.

Finding out who is responsible

You could ask your neighbours and see if they have a similar problem. If they are not affected, it is likely that the problem is with a private drain. You are responsible for clearing the blockage and/or repair the drain.

You may wish to contact your insurance company and see if you are covered by your policy. If you are unable to clear the blockage yourself you can contact a plumber or specialist drainage contractor.

If your neighbours are affected, it is likely that the problem is in the sewer. This may be the responsibility of the water company. To get a better understanding of who is responsible for the sewer, visit: Yorkshire Water.

If you are a tenant, contact your landlord or Housing Association to request that they resolve the issue.

The Council's role in relation to private drains/shared gutters/downpipes

When there is a defect with a private drain:

• We encourage the parties involved to resolve it between themselves.
• Where this is not the case, a legal notice will be served on the owner(s)of the property.
• This requires them to do the necessary work to resolve the problem.
• If the notice is not complied with, we will get a contractor to do the work and recharge you. This will cost more than if you did the work yourself.

Contact

For problems with private drains or sewers outside office hours, that are urgent, please contact: Out of hours support.

For more about any of the above or for advice, report them to us: