Drains And Sewers
Drains and Sewers
Having Drainage Problems?
There are different names for the pipes commonly used to discharge waste water from buildings. The differences become very important if at any time the pipework becomes blocked or needs repair.
| Who is responsible for: | Blockages | Repairs | |
 | Private drain | Owner/Landlord or Tenant | Owner/Landlord |
 | Private sewer | Owners of all premises connected upsteam of stoppage | Owners of all premises connected upsteam of defect |
 | Public sewer | Northern IrelandWater | Northern IrelandWater |
Notes
- Simplified definition of a sewer: a drain serving two or more premises
- Public sewers are not necessarily located under an adopted highway
- Private owners responsibility extends up to and including the junction with the public sewer
Drain
A drain takes the wastewater from a single property. There are two kinds of wastewater, foul sewage and surface water runoff (i.e. rainwater). Private drains are the responsibility of the property owners.
Private Sewers
Drains often combine to form a Private Sewer. They remain private up to the point of connection with the public sewer (maintained by Northern Ireland Water), even if the private sewer runs under public land or highways. The overall ownership of a private sewer is with all property owners whose wastewater flows into it, they are jointly responsible for its repair and maintenance. Drains legally belong to the owner or occupier of the property they are connected to even if they go under someone else's land or road. Any problems, such as blockages, have to be dealt with by all private owners upstream of the blockage, not just the owner of the property where the blockage is.
Public Sewers
The large pipes that run under public roads are the most common types of public sewer. Smaller drains or private sewers are connected to the public sewer. If the sewer to your property was built before 1972, then it is normally considered to be a public sewer. Some sewers built after 1972, are "adopted" by the Northern Ireland Water as a public sewer. Public sewers are owned and maintained by the Northern Ireland Water and will be responsible for repairing or unblocking the sewer.
The Council's Enforcement Procedures
Omagh Council is only responsible for drainage from its own buildings. It is not responsible for privately owned drains or sewers, nor for public sewers. In an ideal world where defects to drainage systems were resolved by those responsible, environmental health staff would never have to get involved. In reality owners and occupiers are not always aware of their duties or indeed that there is a problem with their pipework. The Council sometimes has to step in to settle disputes and prevent serious public health problems.
When we are notified of a blocked private sewer, the first step is to identify where the blockage is. Once the blockage has been found then identify which properties are upstream of the blockage (i.e. who is running into the blocked sewer and so jointly responsible). Once the properties have been identified, Statutory Notices may be served on the occupier giving all the occupiers upstream of the blockage a limited time in which to clear the blockage.
What to do if you have a blockage
If you find that your system is affected and water is not draining away properly, there may either be a blockage on your private system or the public sewer may be blocked
- Check that it is not just your drain that is blocked. Have a word with your neighbours. Blockages will often cause waste water to overflow from manhole covers or drainage gulley outside, or cause toilets and sinks to empty too slowly.
If your neighbours are not affected call an emergency plumber to clear the obstruction. - To report a blocked public sewer you need to contact Northern Ireland Water (Waterline) on 08457 440088 (lines open 24 hours a day and 7 days a week).
- If you are unsure you can contact us for advice. We can provide general information and advice in response to drainage and sewage queries. We will often get involved when householders are unaware of their responsibilities or cannot agree to undertake necessary works to resolve the problem.
Drains in the highway - road gullies
A Road Gully is a small chamber covered by a metal grating, found in the gutter of a roadway. It is used to collect surface water from the road. The responsibility for road gullies belongs to Road Service Contact Number 028 82 254600
www.roadsni.gov.uk/index/complaints-procedure/report_a_fault
Septic tanks
In rural areas without main sewers most properties are served by septic tanks. The responsibility for emptying and repairing septic tanks always rests with the owner or occupier of the property. To arrange emptying of septic tanks you can contact Northern Ireland Water (Waterline) 08457 440088.
Other useful websites
