Definitions related to drainage

• Drain: 
  The first set of pipes taking water away from your property to your boundary. These then connect to other pipes - Private sewers, lateral drains or the public sewer. (This is the Householder's responsibility)
• Private Sewer:
  Carries water away from more than one property to meet the sewer. (Local Water Authority's responsibility)
• Lateral Drain: 
  Carries water from a single property, outside the boundary of that property, until it meets a shared sewer - either a private sewer or the public sewer (Local Water Authority's responsibility
• Public Sewer:
  Takes water away for treatment through the sewer network. (Local Water Authorities responsibility). The local water authority is Southern Water who can be contacted on 0845 278 0845

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