Difference between drains and sewers
A drain is a pipe that serves only one building, conveying water and waste water away to a sewer. A lateral drain is a section of drain positioned outside the boundary of a building, connecting with the drains from other buildings to become a sewer.
Sewers (sewerage), are the underground networks of pipes that carry sewage (waste water and excrement), waste water and surface water run-off, from drains to treatment facilities or disposal points.
Property owners are responsible for the maintenance and repair of drains inside the boundaries of their property (unless the drains of other properties run through their property).
Since 2010, most private sewers and lateral drains that connect to the public sewer network are owned by the regulated sewerage companies.
Some buildings have drains that connect to a cesspool, septic tank or treatment plant rather than a sewer.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Cesspool.
- Drainage.
- Drains.
- Groundwater control in urban areas.
- Lateral drain.
- Maintenance of drainage systems to prevent flooding and water pollution.
- Manhole.
- Pipework.
- Private sewer.
- Public sewer.
- Rain gutter.
- Rainwater downpipe.
- Safe working in drains and sewers.
- Sewer construction.
- Sewerage.
- Sewerage company.
- Stink pipes.
- Sustainable urban drainage systems SUDS.
- Waste water.
- Water transfers and interconnections.
Featured articles and news
Twas the site before Christmas...
A rhyme for the industry and a thankyou to our supporters.
Plumbing and heating systems in schools
New apprentice pay rates coming into effect in the new year
Addressing the impact of recent national minimum wage changes.
EBSSA support for the new industry competence structure
The Engineering and Building Services Skills Authority, in working group 2.
Notes from BSRIA Sustainable Futures briefing
From carbon down to the all important customer: Redefining Retrofit for Net Zero Living.
Principal Designer: A New Opportunity for Architects
ACA launches a Principal Designer Register for architects.
A new government plan for housing and nature recovery
Exploring a new housing and infrastructure nature recovery framework.
Leveraging technology to enhance prospects for students
A case study on the significance of the Autodesk Revit certification.
Fundamental Review of Building Regulations Guidance
Announced during commons debate on the Grenfell Inquiry Phase 2 report.
CIAT responds to the updated National Planning Policy Framework
With key changes in the revised NPPF outlined.
Councils and communities highlighted for delivery of common-sense housing in planning overhaul
As government follows up with mandatory housing targets.
CIOB photographic competition final images revealed
Art of Building produces stunning images for another year.
HSE prosecutes company for putting workers at risk
Roofing company fined and its director sentenced.
Strategic restructure to transform industry competence
EBSSA becomes part of a new industry competence structure.
Major overhaul of planning committees proposed by government
Planning decisions set to be fast-tracked to tackle the housing crisis.
Industry Competence Steering Group restructure
ICSG transitions to the Industry Competence Committee (ICC) under the Building Safety Regulator (BSR).
Principal Contractor Competency Certification Scheme
CIOB PCCCS competence framework for Principal Contractors.
The CIAT Principal Designer register
Issues explained via a series of FAQs.