One of the most common questions we get when arriving at a property in Redditch or Bromsgrove is: “Is this actually my problem to fix?” It’s a brilliant question. Since the law changed in 2011, the lines between private drains and public sewers have shifted, and understanding where your responsibility ends can save you a lot of stress—and potentially a lot of money.
Private Drains vs. Public Sewers As a rule of thumb, a private drain is any pipe that serves only your property and is located within your property boundary. If you have a blockage in the pipe that runs directly under your kitchen or garden before it meets anyone else’s pipe, that is generally your responsibility to maintain and repair.
However, once a pipe serves more than one property, it becomes a shared/lateral drain. In most cases, these are now the responsibility of your local water company (such as Severn Trent). Similarly, if your private pipe leaves your property boundary and heads out under the public pavement or road, that section usually becomes the water company’s problem.
The “Grey Areas” The confusion often arises with “off-mains” drainage. If your home uses a septic tank, cesspit, or soakaway, the entire system is almost certainly your responsibility, regardless of where the pipes sit. Additionally, if a blockage in a public sewer is caused by something you put down your private drain (the classic “misused” items like wet wipes or grease), you could still find yourself involved in the resolution process.
Why Professional Identification Matters If you aren’t sure where the fault lies, Linken Services can help. Using our CCTV drain surveys, we can map exactly where the blockage or break is. If we find the issue is in a shared section, we can provide you with the footage you need to contact the water company and prove it’s their responsibility to fix.