Water UK welcomes today’s announcement by Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, that private sewers and lateral drains in England will be transferred to water and sewerage companies from April 2011. 

The decision is a positive move that will end a historical, unfair and inconsistent arrangement that means up to 50% of households are served by private sewers before they connect into a public sewer.  Such householders are liable for the full cost of maintaining and repairing those private sewers when there is a blockage or worse still a collapse.  

Pamela Taylor, Water UK’s Chief Executive commented.  “The majority of us have no idea we may have responsibility for the sewers serving our properties.   This transfer will remove that doubt and the risk of future liability and repair costs.  Sewer collapses, especially if in the road can cost thousands of pounds to repair.  And Insurance policies won’t cover ‘fair wear and tear’.”

Pamela Taylor continued “there is however a cost to this that will be picked up by all water customers – probably between £5 and £14 a year.  This is unfortunate, but some of these sewers have been neglected for years and are in very poor condition”

Water UK has been a member of Defra’s Private Sewers Steering group helping develop the transfer proposals.   We support an automatic overnight option, with an appeals procedure for those owners who don’t want their sewers transferred.  This option is the most clear cut and avoids potential confusion amongst customers and unnecessary administration costs.  

As well as removing liability and uncertainly for customers the change will help promote the integrated management of the sewerage network and will support the development of surface water management plans - a key recommendation from the Pitt Review to minimise the risk of flooding in urban areas.