Drain and Sewer Responsibilities

In December 2008 Government announced that from 1 October 2011, private sewers and lateral drains across the region will become Anglian Water’s responsibility. Prior to the transfer many householders have responsibility for pipes that are outside of their property boundary but they are often unaware of this until problems occur.

It can be very difficult and expensive to sort out these problems, particularly if the liability is shared amongst several households. The aim of the transfer is to simplify things and make it easier on householders by reducing their liability and making the water and sewerage companies responsible instead.

In general terms, householders will retain responsibility for the lengths of pipework that are situated within their property boundary and which take the flows from only their property alone. All other pipework will be transferred to the water and sewerage companies.