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Sewer adoptions
Introduction
Sewer adoption occurs when private sewer assets are transferred to the local water company. The water company then takes over maintenance, repairs, and ongoing management.
Ofwat, the water and wastewater industry regulator, published the sewer adoption process for newly built sewers, which became legal in April 2020. The regulations state that a sewer must meet specific standards before a water company adopts it. Therefore, while most sewers are the responsibility of a water or sewerage company, not all are.
Sewer adoptions and conveyancing searches
During our CON29DW search enquiry, we establish whether a public sewer serves the property and whether an associated sewer adoption agreement is in place or pending. Our own CON29DW report, produced in-house, covers the Severn Trent region, but we can also provide searches for other regions.
Sewer adoption information is essential for your prospective property buyers. If no agreement exists and the sewer remains private, your client may be liable for costly repairs, maintenance, or potential legal disputes over a shared responsibility. Additionally, the absence of an agreement could indicate that the sewer system doesn’t meet modern standards, potentially leading to future issues.
Understanding this early on can help your clients make an informed decision and ensure peace of mind about their purchase.
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Private sewers and ownership
Until a water company takes over a sewer, it is classified as ‘private’. This means that the property developer or owner is responsible for its maintenance. Alternatively, it could fall under a shared ownership agreement. In any case, prospective buyers should thoroughly understand the implications of the arrangement in place and consider this responsibility when making their decisions or negotiations.