Who is responsible when drains or sewers block?
It is a common misconception that Councils are responsible for maintaining drains and sewers. If you own your house you will normally be responsible for any underground pipework that takes foul water (sewage) from your property until it meets the public sewer owned by Severn Trent Water. If the pipework also takes foul water from other houses, the owners of these properties will share the responsibility. If your house was built before 1st October 1937 any underground pipework shared with neighbours may be the responsibility of Severn Trent Water.
