Drains

Wirral Council are responsible for:

• The operation of the gully cleansing contract and investigation of all enquires and complaints in respect of highway flooding.
• The vetting of drainage aspects of Planning and Building Regulations Applications.
• Liaison with the Environment Agency on land drainage matters.

Where can I see plans of public sewers?

Public sewers are owned by the water companies.

The public sewer records can be viewed free of charged at the offices of Technical Services Department, Cheshire Lines Building, Canning Street, Birkenhead.

Alternatively copies of the public sewer records can be purchased from United Utilities direct 0845 746 2200 or if you live in parts of Lower Heswall or Gayton from Welsh Water’s on 0800 085 3968.

Can I get plans of the drains around my house?

Wirral Council has no plans of private drains. It may be worth checking if there are any plans attached to the deeds of the property.

I have a broken drain inspection cover in my driveway, who is responsible for fixing it?

First you need to check if the inspection cover is on the public sewer or your own private drains.

If the inspection cover is on the public sewer contact United Utilities on 0845 746 2200 or if you live in parts of Lower Heswall or Gayton contact Dwr Cymru Sewerage Services (Welsh Water) on 0800 085 3968. They will arrange for any necessary repairs to be carried out.

If the inspection cover is on your own private drains you are responsible for arranging the repairs.

How can I tell if a gully is blocked?

If after rainfall the area around the gully becomes flooded and the water does not drain away report the problem to our Highway Drainage Team via Streetscene.

If there are leaves on the road or over the gully grating stopping the rainwater from either reaching the gully or draining into it, firstly try to sweep the leaves away from the gully. This will normally result in the flood receding by allowing the flood water to drain away into the gully. However, if this is unsuccessful then report the problem to Streetscene.

If there is foul sewage in or coming out of the gully contact either United Utilities on 0845 746 2200 or for parts of Lower Heswall or Gayton, Dwr Cymru Sewerage Services (Welsh Water) on 0800 085 3968.

There is a gully blocked in an un-adopted road – who will clear this?

Wirral council is not responsible for clearing blockages in un-adopted entries or roads. The responsibility lies jointly with the property owners who adjoin these roads. If there is a flood from a gully that is causing a hazard in an un-adopted road or entry, environmental health might be able to help on 0151 666 4874 or 4873.

How soon will you be able to fix a gully?

Our Highway Drainage team provides a 24hr service to respond to reported problems. Depending on the nature and severity of the incident our highway drainage team will respond as follows:

• Dangerous conditions on the highway including flooding or missing/damaged covers - the area will be made safe or the problem resolved within 4hrs

• Non hazardous conditions on the highway - the problem will be investigated and appropriate action taken within two weeks.

• Reports of noise or smells from highway drainage gullies - the problem will be investigated and appropriate action will be taken within two weeks.

The Council used to clear blockages on public sewers – why doesn’t it now?

As of 1st April 2002 for Welsh Water and 1st April 2003 for United Utilities the water companies now provide this service themselves.

To report a suspected problem on the public sewerage system contact Dwy Cymru Sewerage Service (Welsh Water) on 0800 085 3968 or United Utilities on 0845 746 2200.

What drainage services does the Council provide?

• Regular cleansing of adopted road gullies and drainage channel gratings.

• Clearing blocked highway gullies and highway drainage pipes.

• Repairing or replacing defective or damaged highway gullies or pipes.

• Advising on the design of various highway and traffic calming schemes to ensure efficient drainage.

• Responding to and investigating the causes behind flooding on Wirral roads.