Sewers and drainage
What constitutes a drain? What constitutes a sewer?
Drains
and sewers often become blocked and there is often confusion over the responsibility. Initially it has
to be determined whether the problem is in a sewer or a drain.
Definition:
- a DRAIN is the pipe which carries sewage from one property
- a SEWER is the pipe which carries sewage from more than one property
thus, when two drains join, the pipe becomes a sewer.
Defective drains are the responsibility of the owner/occupiers of the property/properties that the drain serves.
Responsibility for defective sewers depends on whether the sewer is private or public. The majority of sewers built before 1937 are public sewers. Sewers built after 1937 can be either public - if adopted by the 'sewerage undertaker' (United Utilities) - or private if they were not adopted.
United Utilities have responsibility for the repair and maintenance of all public sewers in Salford.
Repair, maintenance and the clearance of blockages on private sewers is the joint responsibility of all properties, which are served by the private sewer.
When and why does the city council become involved?
In
the interests of maintaining public health, the city council has powers to insist that blockages are
removed and repairs made to a drain or private sewer.
This can include the serving of legal notices and carrying out work in default, if the work set out in the notice is not carried out.
The cost of this work carried out in default plus administration charges can be recovered from the households served by the drain or private sewer.
Drainage records
Drainage records are the property
of United Utilities and cannot be reproduced without their permission.
Drainage records relating to the city of Salford can be viewed at:
Salford Civic Centre
Chorley Road
Swinton
SALFORD
M27
5BW
If you would like further information about drainage records or require a site visit you can call 0161-909 6500 or email highway.services@urbanvision.org.uk
If you wish to report a blocked drain that is not on private property, or any surface water flooding on the road or pavement, visit our online reporting.
This page was last updated on 18 October 2007
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