Transfer of private sewers and pumping stations
After a change in the law in 2011, we became responsible for private sewers/drains from 1 October 2011. We then became responsible for private pumping stations which meet the eligibility criteria from 1 October 2016.
You're still responsible for the sections of pipe between your property/building and the transferred private sewer or lateral drain.
How you're affected by the transfer of private sewers depends on the type of property you live in. This is due to the way the sewers and drains are connected.
The short video above gives an overview of the sewer transfer. You can then watch one of the videos below that show how each property type is affected.
Just click on the type of property you live in from the list below.
Problems with your sewer pipes
We're here to help you work out which pipes have transferred, and which pipes are still your responsibility.
This will help avoid unnecessary callouts, which we may charge you for.
You'll still be responsible for any internal plumbing and the section of pipe leading to the transferred sewer.
If you think you have a problem with a sewer pipe or drain, please carry out the following steps. It’s important that you try and identify where the problem is, as this can save you unnecessary callouts.
- If you have a shared sewer, try asking your neighbours if they have a problem.
- If they don’t, it’s likely that the problem is on your section of pipe or waste plumbing. This means you'll need to resolve it yourself.
- If your neighbours do have a problem, it may be on a shared section of pipe.
Private pumping stations
The law changed in 2016 making us responsible for all eligible sewage pumping stations in our area.
This means we're now in charge of servicing, maintenance and running costs for these stations.
What is a sewage pumping station?
Pumping stations come in a range of shapes and sizes. They can be found in driveways, gardens, roadside verges and other areas.
Some homes or businesses have drainage systems with pumps located inside large manholes, also known as wet wells. They pump the wastewater into the nearest sewer network.
The stations usually have a kiosk, often green or grey in colour, which contains the electrical equipment.
We don't hold any records about private pumping stations. If you believe you have a station that may meet the eligibility criteria, please let us know.
Adoption criteria
- Be in service prior to 1 July 2011.
- Be connected to the main sewerage network (either foul or surface water).
- The station must serve multiple curtilages, or boundary, of different freeholds.
If you know of a station that meets the criteria that we may not be aware of, please email us.
If your pumping station does not meet the criteria, please contact our Developer Services team.
Find out more
Our video explains more about private pumping stations and what the transfer involves.