Protocol on design, construction and adoption of sewers in England and Wales
The first stage of tackling problems associated with private sewers and drains looked to prevent further problems by introducing a protocol (established 2002) for the construction of new sewers.
By following the Protocol, all sewers would be built to a standard that would not preclude their adoption, when built, by the water and sewerage company (WaSC). Section 102 of the Water Industry Act 1991 (as amended by section 96 of the Water Act 2003) allows WaSCs to adopt laterals (that part of the drain situated outside a property boundary and running from the boundary to the sewer) if they are built to an adoptable standard.
The aim of the protocol is to put into practice a common approach for the design and construction for new development, to enable wider adoption of sewers in England and Wales. Details of hydraulic design and minimum pipe size that should form part of a common standard are given in the following document:
- Protocol on design, construction and adoption of sewers in England and Wales (PDF 40 KB) - (First published April 2002, corrected version published September 2007)
A review of the voluntary protocol’s effectiveness has highlighted the need for further action to prevent the proliferation of private sewers
New sewers following private sewers transfer
The Government recognises that its decision to transfer existing private sewers and lateral drains that drain to the public sewerage network into the ownership of the water and sewerage companies means it is also sensible to take action to prevent a new generation of private sewers being created following transfer.
As part of the July 2007 consultation on options for the implementation of private sewer transfer, the Government proposed the introduction of a mandatory design and build standard for the construction of sewers and drains and for these to be automatically adopted as part of the public sewerage network.
Respondents to the consultation supported the proposal and Defra is now exploring what this standard should comprise and how the standard and automatic adoption of new sewers and lateral drains should be implemented with the help of a steering group of key stakeholders.
Page last modified:
15 December 2008
Page published: 12 October 2004