Sewers and drains explained

United Utilities is responsible for all public sewers in the region.  The pipe connecting your property to the public sewer is called a drain, they are the joint responsibility of each property. See our simple guide to water pipes, drains and sewers.

Private Drains - a drain is a pipe which moves clean water (rainfall) and dirty water (sewage) from your property. Customers are responsible for the drains from your property up to and including its connection with the public sewer. Any blockages or faults with a drain are the responsibility of the owner of the property from which the drain flows.

Sewers - a sewer is a pipe which normally moves clean water (rainfall) and dirty water (sewage) to our treatment works. A sewer can be private or public depending on its age and when it was laid. Any sewer built before 1937 has been adopted by United Utilities under the Section 24 agreement of the Public Health Act. Any sewers constructed following 1937 that have not been adopted are private sewers.

Gully - road gullies are small openings usually covered by a metal grate situated at the edge of roads, and are used to drain surface water from the highway. Gullies sometimes get blocked with leaves and other debris and water may flood onto the street. Gullies are part of the highway drainage system and the responsible of your local authority.