What are the main types of drainage?
Drain
A drain collects foul water (from sinks, baths, toilets, washing machines, etc) or surface water (rainwater) from a premise or premises within a single curtilage (boundary). A drain can flow under another property’s curtilage (known as a lateral drain), a pavement or a highway until it reaches a sewer.
Private sewer
Private sewers are sewers built after 1937. The difference between a drain and a private sewer is that a private sewer joins drains from two or more properties together. A private sewer can flow under the curtilage (boundary) of several properties, a pavement or a highway. These pipes, since the 1 October 2011 are now the responsibility of the water undertaker.
Public sewer
A public sewer is a sewer built before 1937 (with some exceptions) or after 1937 and adopted by the water undertaker. If your sewer was built after 1937 your water undertaker will be able to tell you if your sewer has been adopted. The water undertaker in Eden is United Utilities and Northumbrian Water.
Some public sewers are found within the curtilage (boundary) of private properties depending on when the sewer and the property were built. This has planning implications when applying to build over a public sewer.
Road gully
A road gully is a chamber covered with a metal grate or grill at the edge of a highway. It collects and drains water from the highway. Road gullies are the responsibility of Cumbria County Council.
Non-mains drainage: Cesspools and septic tanks
Non-mains drainage is found in rural areas of Eden. It is effective if correctly managed.
A cesspool is a watertight underground tank and under current standards new cesspools must have a minimum capacity of 18,000 litres. Older cesspools are lined with brick or concrete, and more modern ones with plastics, polythene or steel. Foul water is stored until the time of disposal. A cesspool must be pumped out or otherwise emptied by a competent contractor. It is an offence for anyone other than a competent contractor to do this.
A septic tank is effectively a mini-sewerage system. Sewage is stored in a watertight tank where bacteria break down solid matter to one third of its original volume. Settled solids are retained and a clear liquid flows out via land drainage. Installing a new septic tank requires permission from Building Control and a consent to discharge from the Environment Agency, telephone number 08708 506506.
For further information:
-
Contact: Environmental Protection
-
Address: Department of Technical Services, Eden District Council, Mansion House, Penrith CA11 7YG
-
Telephone: 01768 817817
-
Email: pollution@eden.gov.uk
