Ribble Valley Borough Council - Public health

Service outline:

When drains and sewers become blocked or repairs are required, there is often confusion about who has responsibility.

Classification of Drainage who is responsible for repairs and blockages

Private Drain - Householder /occupier

Private Sewer - Joint/equal responsibility with other persons above the problem
(combined drain/sewer serving more than 1 property which is not a public sewer )

Public Sewer - United Utilities
(combined drain/sewer formally adopted by local authority or built before 1937)

If you are unsure about the drainage serving your property and you have a suspected problem, further advice can be obtained by contacting us using the details below.

What to do if you have a problem

Private Drain - The Council provides a highly experienced and professional local 'drain flushing' service at very competitive rates. This can be obtained using the contact details below.

Alternatively you can engage a private contractor (see yellow pages)

Private Sewer - If you believe you have a blocked/defective Private Sewer
( ie a drain serving more than your property ) then you can;

Employ our drain flushing service and see your neighbours for an equitable contribution;
Contact our Environmental Health section (using the details below) for a visit, survey and possible service of legal notice on all relevant parties.

Public Sewer - contact United Utilities using the details below.

From the 1st April 2004, this function is to transfer back to United Utilities who will arrange for their organisation to deal with your issue.

Drain on Road

Please note if the drain is on a road please contact Lancashire County Council using the details below. Alternatively you can report the problem using the self-service service on Lancashire County Council's website.

Service Plan

Further details on our service delivery standards are contained within the Environmental Health Plan.

Enforcement Policy:

This authority formally adopted the Enforcement Concordat in March 1998. A General Enforcement Policy has been produced setting out how the Council and its officers will approach and implement enforcement.

Availability

You can contact the council regarding any of the information on these webpages during normal working hours. Monday to Friday 9-5. For out of office emergencies 01200 444448