Public/mains sewers

A sewer drains more than one property. It becomes a public sewer if it is adopted by the sewerage undertaker (South West Water in this region), or if it was constructed before 1^st October 1937. 

Any problems should be reported to South West Water or ring 0344 346 2020

A drain is a pipe that serves one property. A lateral drain is the part of this pipe that extends beyond the property boundary

A private sewer is a sewer that has not been adopted by South West Water and was constructed after 1^st October 1937

As of 1^st October 2011 any lateral drain or private sewer that flows into a public sewer became the responsibility of South West Water