Who owns the drains, I want to move them

[kuytd]

Hi.

I was thing about a little extension on the house, but am a bit scuppered by the main sewer / drain, and my kitchen sink drain.

Where my permitted development extension would lie, happens to be right over the manhole cover in the garden. I know its the sewer, as I have taken the cover off, and flushed the bog, which sent water through it.

Obviously I cant move it myself, and I don't want to go and build over it. So who do I talk to about moving it?

Also, my sink is on the outside wall, and drains just outside. Again this would get in the way, because it would be in the extension, so how do you re-route it?...

 

[Phill Peck]

if it on your property and is only connected to your property then it can be done no problem probably by whoever digs your foundations.

however if other properties are connected to this drain then you need to speak to your local water company find out who is responsable for drainage in your area. then you can arrange to have the sewer moved by an approved contractor

 

[kuytd]

Hi.

Yeah, its the suburbs so the sewer serves loads of houses. So I take it its quite commonly done then?

 

[Phill Peck]

yea it wont be a problem really

where i am anglian water cover the sewers so find your equivilant and start there they will be able to advise you of the correct steps to take.

your other option is to have it move by someone and dont let the water company know, but they might get a bit angry if they find out

when you conntact a builder about your extension they may be able to advise you just dont let them build straight over it

 

[nickjb]

It might be private (even if shared) in which case you are partly responsible or it might be the local water authority. They should know. If its the former then it will be changing to the latter very soon:

http://www.transportforbucks.net/Flooding/Consultation-News/Changes-to-Private-Sewer-Ownership.aspx

I suspect it'll be cheaper/easier to do it before the change over