Drainage problems in the home

The council is only responsible for cleaning road drains (gullies) on public streets. If the blockage is inside your property boundary or under your house, it is your responsibility to fix it.

Householder responsibilities

You are responsible for the maintenance, repair, and costs associated with private drains: 

• Internal plumbing - Pipes inside your house, including toilet, sink, shower, and washing machine drains.
• Private external drains - Pipes within your property boundary that serve only your home, such as downpipes, gullies and soil stacks.
• Blocked drains on site - If a blockage occurs within your boundary, you must arrange and pay for clearance.
• Misuse - Blockages caused by wipes, fat, sanitary products, for example, are your responsibility to clear.
• Private sewage - If you use a septic tank or cesspit, the system and its connection pipes are your responsibility.

United Utilities has further information and helpful advice on your responsibility as a householder, or you can contact them on 0345 672 3723 for further information on supply pipe leaks.

United Utilities responsibilities

The water company is responsible for lateral drains and sewers.

• Lateral drains - The section of pipe that lies outside your property boundary, for example, under a pavement or road, that carries waste from your house to the main sewer.
• Shared drains - Any drain that carries waste from two or more properties, even if it runs within your boundary.
• Public sewers - Main sewers usually located under public roads and footpaths.

See how to report a problem to United Utilities.

Council responsibilities

The council is responsible for drains and gullies on public roads.

• Road gullies - The grates at the edge of the road designed to collect surface rainwater are maintained by the local council.

See how to report a blocked or damaged street drain.