Drainage

The pollution team at Shepway District Council is responsible for the investigation of complaints concerning blocked or defective drains and sewers across the district.

Despite popular belief the Council is not responsible for the maintenance of all sewers and drains in the district, unless of course they are Council owned properties. The responsibility for repairing or unblocking drains or sewers will either be with Southern Water Services or the owner/occupier of the property the sewer or drain serves.

Under normal circumstances the following applies to blocked or defective drains or sewers:

• a private drain that serves only one property will be the responsibility of the owner/occupier of the property
• a sewer serves more than one property and may be private or public. A sewer may either be the responsibility of the owners/occupiers of those properties it serves or Southern Water Services. A sewer built before 1936 that serves two or more properties is likely to be the responsibility of Southern Water Services who can be contacted on 0845 272 0845.

If you require further information or wish to register a complaint concerning a blocked or defective drain or sewer you can use the form provided or contact us by post, phone or email.