Consultation: Private Sewers Transfer

Summary

This joint consultation covered England and Wales. It detailed how the UK Government and the Welsh Assembly Government would transfer private sewers and lateral drains to the ownership of the statutory water and sewerage companies in order to resolve the multiple problems presented to homeowners by private sewer ownership.

We invited views on the regulations providing for transfer, and the proposals for schemes under the regulations, from all those with an interest in the issue of private sewers.

The decision to transfer private sewers followed a longstanding review of the challenges raised by private sewers. After careful consideration, the Government concluded that transfer provided the most comprehensive solution, removing unfair burdens from householders and allowing for a more integrated sewerage network. Richard Benyon subsequently announced at the Local Government Flood Forum Conference on 29 July 2010 that he intended to consult at the end of summer on draft regulations to provide for transfer. Draft regulations currently envisage transfer taking place on October 2011.

Unless a problem occurs householders are often unaware that they are responsible for the maintenance and repair of their private sewer (sometimes jointly with others). Furthermore, this disparate ownership of the sewerage network causes difficulties for both consistent standards and long term planning, which is important in adapting to the effects of climate change and housing growth.