What Is a Lateral Drain?

A lateral drain is the section of pipe that connects your private drain to the public sewer. It typically runs from the boundary of your property to the point where it joins the public sewer system — usually located under the road or in a neighbouring property. Since the 2011 Private Sewer Transfer, lateral drains in England and Wales are the responsibility of the local water company.

What to Look For

• Runs from your property boundary to the public sewer connection
• Usually located under the pavement, verge or road
• Became water company responsibility in October 2011
• If it was shared or served multiple properties before 2011, it transferred
• The water company must repair it free of charge if it fails
• You can report lateral drain problems to your water company

How We Diagnose the Problem

We use CCTV surveys with drain tracing to determine exactly where your private drain ends and the lateral drain begins. This boundary point is crucial for determining who's responsible for repair costs. Our report clearly shows this boundary.

How We Fix It

If the problem is in the lateral drain, we help you report it to the water company with supporting CCTV evidence. If the problem is in your private section, we provide repair options. Knowing where the boundary is can save you thousands in repair costs you shouldn't be paying.