Wessex Water owns and maintains all shared sewers and drains beyond the boundaries of private properties. Blocked or defective sewers should be reported to them for repair.
Drainage
Public sewers
Septic tanks
We provide information, advice and assistance if you are experiencing problems with residential septic tanks and cesspools.
We can also investigate complaints about leaking tanks or defective soak-aways. We may ask the owner of the tank to fix the problem. If they don't comply, we could take legal action.
Environmental Protection
Gullies and ditches
We regularly empty and clean gullies and ditches on public land and their connections to the drainage system along roads. We aim to carry out essential works within 24 hours.
Ditches on private land are the responsibility of the landowner, but we will investigate concerns about them.
If you own land or property next to a river, stream or ditch you are a 'riparian landowner', which means you have certain responsibilities.
As part of the local flood risk management strategy, we have also produced a guide on how to maintain a small watercourse, linked below.
Larger open ditches (rhynes)
Large open ditches (rhynes) are mostly the responsibility of an internal drainage board.