Private sewers
A private sewer is one that was built after 1 October 1937, serves more than one property and has not been adopted by United Utilities.
A private sewer is the responsibility of all the home owners whose drains connect to it. It may still be a private sewer under the public highway until it joins a public sewer.
The Council may become involved if the private householders being served by a private sewer are unable or unwilling to remedy any problem with it themselves. All expenses incurred by the council will be recharged to the householders using the private sewer.
Public sewers
A public sewer is one that was built before 1 October 1937 and is serving more than one property or a sewer that has been adopted as a public sewer. United Utilities are responsible for the maintenance of public sewers. The main sewer in the road will normally be a public sewer no matter when it was constructed.
You can report blocked public sewers to United Utilities (external link) by ringing 0845 746 2200.
The United Utilities web site gives advice regarding what to do if your property is flooded by sewage and also regarding damage caused by flooding from public sewers.
