Charged for drain repair

Cubadoo

I am with South Staffs water and have recently received a letter from UKDN Waterflow drainage company demanding details of my insurance company to pay for repair to a drain two houses down the street. The letter says my property shares all or part of the drainage system that requires repair, and my details are needed in order to rectify the problem. However, I have been informed that the repair was already carried out approx 2 weeks before I received this letter, they have not given me any costs for the work and neither have I been given the opportunity to get quotes for the repair work.
Sandwell council are unable to give me any advice and South Staffs water are not responsible for the waste pipe. Can anyone please give me advice on what I should do as I am very worrried about being stung with a huge bill.
Thanks.

macman

Shared drains are now the responsibility of the local water utility, not the householder. Unless they are alleging that you have caused the damage wilfully?

Cardew

I believe Severn Trent are responsible for all drains and sewers for South Staffs Water.

As said above, you are now not responsible for repair of any drain outside of the boundaries of your property.

This link gives a diagram.

http://www.homeserve.com/private-sewer-changes


The above diagram shows where the responsibilities for sewer and drainage pipes will lie from 1 October 2011.

From your description the repair is on a blue drain

I suspect your neighbour wasn't aware of the change and got in that firm(UKDN waterflow) to do the work; and the company is just trying to bluff you into sharing costs.

Contact Severn Trent.

john1

Are you on a unadopted road or private estate? if so, then I understand the estate developer and or, you could be jointly responsible.

If highway has been adopted by local authority Cardew post is correct If sewage pipe then water / sewage company responsible as per diagrams. If a separate storm water drain then local authority could be responsible you need to confirm type of drain.

There are a few areas where the water supply and sewage companies overlap and are different

Bit cheeky of UKDN Waterflow, you should have been consulted if chargeable before work commenced unless emergency

Cardew

john1 wrote: »

Are you on a unadopted road or private estate? if so, then I understand the estate developer and or, you could be jointly responsible.

Surely the criteria is if you pay sewerage charges to Severn Trent Water. If so then they they are responsible.