Expert Drain Cleaning Services in Birkenhead

The Government wants to take this step to give better clarity regarding responsibilities for the sewerage system. The aim of the transfer is to allow a more integrated approach to the whole wastewater network but most importantly, to remove a burden from our customers whose homes are currently served by these sewers and drains

By law, we must inform you about this change. Once the change in ownership has been signed off in Parliament we will write to all customers and continue to publish information on our website. You will have the right to appeal against the transfer.

The changes which mean UU owns the majority of the private sewer network will not come into place until Autumn 2011. That is the time we expect the changes to take place, it has not been confirmed by the Government. In the meantime, responsibilities do not change. If a property was built in 1937 or later the pipe connecting the property to the public sewer (the drain) is the responsibility of the homeowner. If there are sections of the pipe that connect more than one property to the public sewer, then these are the joint responsibility of those properties served. If the property was built before 1937, the drain that serves only that property is still the responsibility of the homeowner. However, the sections of the pipe that connect more than one property to the public sewer are owned and maintained by UU already.

Yes, it is likely that bills will increase at some time in the future. When the government announces the scope and timing of the transfer, the water companies along with the regulator (Ofwat) will review the additional cost burden and a decision will be made as to how and when bills will increase to cover these additional costs.

Currently all our customers are paying towards the upkeep of the public sewers but some also have private sewers to maintain. From transfer, the cost of sewer maintenance will be spread more fairly and customers will have peace of mind that their sewer is our responsibility.