Blocked grey water drain: who pays?

[Miljea]

We are the last house in a 20 year old cul de sac.

We noticed out bath, showers and WCs we're taking a while to drain.

We opened the inspection hatch on the drive, and it was 2/3 full of grey water, which we couldn't rid ourselves so got a drain bloke in (with rods/camera etc) who said the issue was in the main drain of the cul de sac, and that we'd been most affected as we were the last/first house.

They lifted the municipal manhole covers in the close and they were full, too.

We have now contacted the water board, but of course we've been hit with the tradesman's £150 bill.

Given that the issue is in the main sewer, which would have affected our neighbours soon enough if not already, can we ask the WB to reimburse us?

Anyone?

They may reimburse you as a gesture of goodwill. I think with my company they always recommend you call the water company as a first port of call. It’s certainly worth asking though.

It depends on whether the blockage is in the bit of the drainage that is solely yours or after where it becomes shared with your neighbours. Phone the water company and get them to look because this is free and they will likely be able to sort it for you. The worst case scenario is that they say it's your bit that's causing the blockage but you won't have lost anything by getting them to confirm.

Thanks. Definitely established that the issue is in the shared drainage.

Sorry I didn't read the bit where you said you'd already paid someone. I doubt they will reimburse you as it's not down to them that you instructed a private firm. Easy mistake to make when your panicking over a blocked drain, I'm sure private companies make loads of money doing jobs people could have had sorted for free.

We naturally assumed it was a blocked shower drain (cleared as much as possible), but then it became a sink, the WCs- which told me it was downstream from the immediate house.

In retropect the driveway inspection shaft being flooded might've given the game away, but we were scared of the Water Board getting involved, with their Bill, if the blockage transpired to be under our land!

If you’re in England op the water company wouldn’t charge you if it turned out to be a private problem just so you know for future. They would just give you advice and can often recommend plumbers. Not sure outside of England.

I work for a water company. We wouldn't refund you for what you'd already paid on a private tradesman. If you'd got the water company to come out in the first instance you could have avoided that cost

rottie where I live,Southern Water, no one dares call them due to their costs! It's such a gamble, on my property/not on my property.

As it was, the £150 paid for bloke actually spoke to SW himself to ensure the right 'key' words were used to ensure immediate service! Like 'toilets gurgling up showers' 😬

I don't think neighbours would have to reinvi

Sorry, soapy hands! I don't think they will reimburse you tbh. I probably wouldn't even ask unless you consulted with them before getting a tradesman out.

Shared drains - call out the sewerage undertaker as it's their asset.

Unlikely they will refund you for calling out a private contractor.

where I live,Southern Water, no one dares call them due to their costs! It's such a gamble, on my property/not on my property.

@Miljea
The industry is so heavily regulated this really shouldn't be the case, as there are potentially severe penalties for suppliers who don't follow the rules. The line is generally pretty clear cut in terms of what are private assets and what aren't and SW are required to document this on an asset register that they maintain. I'd suggest in future if you have issues with them, following their internal complaints procedure and if this fails, making a complaint via CC Water