A change in the law has transferred large sections of drains and sewers currently privately-owned and maintained by householders in England and Wales to water companies. This means that Thames Water's existing 68,000km network of sewers were increased by an estimated 40,000km at the beginning of this month.
The move may give peace of mind to householders in the event of a sewer collapse or blockage, but Thames Water predicts it will lead to the blockages it has to tackle rising from 55,000 a year to around 250,000, increasing its annual operational costs by around £35m.
Generally the sections of drainage being transferred are those shared by two or more properties – differing depending on the type of dwelling - and those sections that lie outside property boundaries. Shared drainage built before 1937 is not affected by the change-over as water and sewerage companies already maintain these pipes.
Matthew said: “There has been a lot of concern about this transfer, forced through by the last Labour Government. The change is expected to increase Thames Water’s operational costs by about £35m a year, which Defra predicts will lead to bill rises for customers of between £4 and £14 a year. Now we must make the best of this situation.”
Photo: Matthew is pictured entering the Hammersmith Pumping Station sewer