Who Is Responsible For Surface Water Drainage In Cumbria?

Introduction

Surface water drainage is an important aspect of property management in Cumbria, North West England. It is the process of removing excess water from a property and its surrounding area, which is essential to prevent waterlogging, flooding and structural damage. In most cases, property owners are responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of their own drainage systems, but in some cases, the responsibility falls on local councils and water companies.

Drainage Cumbria are a leading drainage company in Cumbria that provides a wide range of drainage services to residential and commercial customers. Our aim is to educate property owners about the importance of surface water drainage and their responsibilities in maintaining their drains and sewers.

In this landing page, we will look at who is responsible for surface water drainage UK in Cumbria and what you need to know about the laws and regulations surrounding drainage.

Water, Property and Drains

Water is essential for life, but it can also be a major problem for property owners in Cumbria. Excess water from heavy rainfall or snowmelt can lead to flooding, waterlogging and structural damage to properties. Therefore, it is essential that proper drainage systems are in place to prevent these issues.

The drains on a property are responsible for collecting and directing water away from the building and its surrounding area. They can include lateral drains, which collect wastewater from the property's plumbing system and transport it to the public sewer, and surface water drains, which collect rainwater and other surface water and direct it to a soakaway or public sewer.

Property owners are responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the drains on their property. This includes ensuring that they are clear of blockages and debris and that they are functioning correctly. Failure to maintain drains can lead to blockages, which can cause a range of problems, including foul odours, water damage and even health hazards.

Sewerage Company, Lateral Drains and Surface Water Drains

A sewerage company is responsible for maintaining the public sewer system in Cumbria. This includes ensuring that the sewers are clear of blockages, arranging for repairs and responding to emergencies. However, property owners are responsible for the lateral drains that run from their property to the public sewer.

If a blockage occurs within the lateral drain, it is the responsibility of the property owner to arrange for it to be cleared. Failure to do so can lead to flooding, water damage and even health hazards, and the property owner may be liable for any costs associated with repairs.

Surface water drainage is also the responsibility of the property owner. The drain runs from the property to a soakaway or public sewer, and it is the responsibility of the property owner to ensure that it is free from blockages and functioning correctly.

Preventing Drainage Issues

Preventing drainage issues is essential, and there are several steps that property owners can take to ensure that their drains and sewers are functioning correctly. These include:

1. Regular maintenance of drains and sewers to prevent blockages and other issues.

2. Ensuring that all drains, sewers and pipes are installed correctly to prevent leaks and other issues.

3. Avoiding flushing inappropriate items down the toilet or sink, which can cause blockages and other issues.

4. Ensuring that guttering and downpipes are installed correctly to prevent water damage to the property.

5. Maintaining a garden or lawn to prevent surface water from flooding the property.

Insurance

It is important to note that many insurance policies do not cover damage caused by drainage issues. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that your drains and sewers are functioning correctly and that you have adequate insurance in place to cover any repairs or damage that may occur.

Flooding

Flooding can be a major issue for property owners in Cumbria, particularly during the winter months when heavy rainfall and snowmelt are common. Surface water drainage is essential to prevent flooding, and property owners are responsible for ensuring that their drains and sewers are functioning correctly.

If flooding does occur, it is important to act quickly to prevent further damage to the property. This may include using sandbags to prevent water from entering the property, arranging for the drains to be cleared or contacting a professional drainage company for assistance.

Public Sewer and Soakaway

The public sewer system in Cumbria is maintained by the sewerage company, but property owners are responsible for the lateral drains that run from their property to the public sewer. Soakaways are also the responsibility of the property owner and are used to collect surface water and direct it to the ground.

It is important to ensure that both the public sewer and soakaway are functioning correctly to prevent waterlogging and flooding of the property.

Conclusion

Surface water drainage is an important aspect of property management in Cumbria, and property owners are responsible for ensuring that their drains and sewers are functioning correctly. Failure to maintain drains and sewers can lead to a range of issues, including blockages, water damage and even health hazards.

It is essential to take steps to prevent drainage issues and to ensure that you have adequate insurance in place to cover any repairs or damage that may occur. If you are experiencing drainage issues, it is important to act quickly to prevent further damage to the property.

At Drainage Cumbria, we are committed to providing high-quality drainage services to residential and commercial customers in Cumbria. If you require assistance with your drains or sewers, please do not hesitate to contact us on 01228 734162 or via email at [email protected].