Sewer Transfer - Threat to industry?

humabrom · Mar 23, 2011

I’m currently looking purchasing a small drainage inspection, cleaning and repair company. I understand that in October 2011, all private sewers and lateral drains will be transferred to the local sewerage undertakers, in my case Thames Water. The property owner will only be responsible in the future for the pipes that drain their property that are within their curtilage.

I see this as a major threat to the drainage contracting industry for those not able or willing to go through the daunting prospect of competitive tendering for work from the water companies (probably for very low profit margins anyway).

In future, the customer will contact the Water Authority who will send a framework engineer to investigate the problem and even if the problem remains within the customers curtilage, they will probably win the fee from the property owner to carry out the work due to being on site.

Can anyone advise how this has already affected Scotland? Does a domestic drainage market still remain, based only on single drains within the property boundary? I’m assuming that a non-framework contractor could no longer work outside the curtilage and that the water authorities service levels will improve so that a customer doesn’t have to wait for a day or two to have their drain unblocked?

Would appreciate your thoughts on whether this would be worth persuing…….

fagsanbooz · Mar 23, 2011

what will happen to a 'private sewer' that say, serves 12 properties in their back gardens? who would be responsible if the poor soul at the lowest end gets a blockage caused by the others..........'muck'?

nicro3 · Mar 23, 2011

To be honest at present the whole thing is a little muddled. Dyno rod seem to be trying to force their franchisees to sell back or stump up 250 grand but I think its a case of suck it and see.

k1200rs · Apr 10, 2012

I was also wondering if the domestic drainage industry is dead. The water companies are first in the door now so even if it isnt theirs they will do it for a fee although I went to one the other day and the water board engineer didnt want to do it as it was classed as private.

Why are Dyno Rod forcing their franchisees to sell back, so they can employ them directly to do water board contract work?

shneld · Apr 10, 2012

fagsanbooz said:
what will happen to a 'private sewer' that say, serves 12 properties in their back gardens? who would be responsible if the poor soul at the lowest end gets a blockage caused by the others..........'muck'?

I believe this is not classedas a private sewer, as it serves more than one property and is the authorities responsibilities.Where it branches off and goes to the individual properties, this is a privatesewer.