Drainage & sewers
Summary
Main sewers are the responsibility of your water supplier, which is most likely to be either Anglian Water or Suffolk & Essex Water. Other private drains and sewers are the responsibility of the owner(s) of the property.
If you get your water from a private supply such as a well, borehole or spring, you may be interested in our Private water supplies leaflet, which gives advice on the contaminants that may be present in the water, and what you can do about them. Download the leaflet by following the link below.
How to request information on drainage & sewers
If you do not find the answer to your query from the information below:
- Contact us online or by e-mail, telephone or letter (our details are at the foot of this page);
- Information we will need from you:
- your full name;
- your full address including your postcode;
- your home telephone number and a number which we can contact you on during normal office hours if this is different;
- your email address (if applicable);
- how you would like us to respond to you, and;
- details of your enquiry.
Downloads
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Download the private water supplies leaflet [PDF, 272 Kb]
Sustainable surface water drainage - guidance notes [PDF, 178 Kb]
Further information
Notes on changes to the ownership of sewers & drains
On the 1 October 2011 changes took place on the ownership of sewers and drains. The impact on residents and business in South Norfolk were as follows:
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Private sewers that existed before 1 July 2011 which drain into the public (or main sewer) were transferred to Anglian Water.
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Those parts of private drains that existed before 1 July 2011 and which are both located outside the premises it serves and drain into the public (or main sewer), were transferred to Anglian Water.
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On 1 October 2016 private sewage pumping stations which drain into the public (or main sewer) will be transferred to Anglian Water.
Who is responcible for unblocking or repairing the drains and sewers serving my property?
The pipe that leaves your house is called a drain. If this drain then joins a drain from another property, the pipe becomes a sewer from that joint onwards.
Responsibilities for unblocking or repairing problem sections of a foul sewage system depend upon whether or not the sewer or drain is classed as 'Public' or 'Private'.
Public sewers or public drains are those that have been adopted by the sewerage undertaker (e.g. Anglian Water, their management contractors or predecessors) and, once adopted, cleaning and maintenance of that sewer is their responsibility.
Sewers in South Norfolk that existed before 1 July 2011 and which drain into Anglian Waters drainage system are public sewers and therefore managed by Anglian Water. Drains in South Norfolk that existed before 1 July 2011 and which are both located outside the premises it serves and drain into Anglian Waters drainage system, are public drains and therefore managed by Anglian Water. Drains that are located on the premises they serve are private drains and the responsibility of the the owner of the property that uses them.
Private sewage treatment plants (i.e. those not owned and maintained by Anglian Water), septic tanks and cesspools, along with any drains and sewers draining into them, are private systems and the responsibility of the the owner of the property or properties that uses them.
How often does my septic tank need emptying?
We would suggest that the tank is de-sludged at least twice a year.
Can I use bleach in my septic tank?
Bleach and other strong chemicals can kill off the bacteria that help a septic tank work. Use any of these chemicals sparingly and look for “septic tank friendly” varieties when you buy such chemicals.
My toilet gurgles even when it has not been flushed
There is probably a blockage.
External links
Anglian Water
Website with contact details for Anglian Water, the main water supplier for South Norfolk.
Essex & Suffolk Water
Another water supplier for parts of the east of our district.
Contact us
| contact officer/team: | Environmental Protection Support Officer |
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| web: | online enquiry form |
| email: | envserv@s-norfolk.gov.uk |
| freephone: | 0808 168 4444 |
| telephone: | 01508 533830 |
| minicom/textphone: | 01508 533622 |
| address: | South Norfolk Council South Norfolk House Swan Lane Long Stratton Norwich NR15 2XE |
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If you need information in large print, audio cassette, braille, translation (written or verbal) or signed interpretation, let us know when you contact us.
Last updated on: 10 October 2011