Everything You Need to Know About Private Drainage
A home’s drainage system does more than transport wastewater away from your property. A functional drainage system protects your property from water accumulation and soil erosion beneath its foundation. Well-maintained drainage ensures your home won’t get flooded, especially during the rainy season. For these reasons, connecting to private drainage within your residential lot is a huge responsibility.
If you’ve recently moved into a home with a private drainage line or your house sits on one, it’s crucial to know everything about this component. This article will teach you more about private drains. Here are the basic answers to the most frequently asked questions about private drains.
Private Drain FAQs and Answers
Here are the essential points to know if you have a private drainage system.
What is a private drainage system?
Private drainage systems are like public sewage and stormwater networks. These privately funded systems serve one or more properties.
Some private drains in New Zealand are in blocks of flats, others in caravan sites and residential communities undergoing development.
The drainage capacity depends on whether these drains link to a public sewer system.
Does a private drainage system follow regulations?
They may be smaller and require less maintenance, but the system must still comply with New Zealand’s drainage system specifications for safety and efficiency. A private drainage system ensures that this mini wastewater network is compliant and free from issues through inspection.
The most reliable and recognised way to conduct these evaluations is through a CCTV drain inspection.
How do you determine private drain ownership?
As mentioned earlier, private drains serve one or multiple residential properties. Property owners that enjoy the services of this system are considered the legal owners of the stormwater and sewage network.
Who should maintain and pay for repairs for a private drain?
Although a private drain may be an infrastructure connected to a bigger public sewer network, they are not public responsibility. Instead, private drainage systems rely on repair and maintenance funds from the owners of the properties they service.
Local authorities may do the work for you if a private drainage system is abandoned or undermaintained. However, they will still charge for the servicing and the replacement parts if necessary.
What are common private drain issues that need attention?
Like public sewer lines, private drains may face operational problems. Such problems include plumbing breakage and blocks, tree root damage, and soil erosion. Therefore, private drainage systems need to be checked and maintained regularly.
How will you know if your property connects to a private drain?
Your local authorities will have records of private drains in your area. You can also check with your sewer company for more information. Alternatively, you can read the deed of your property or consult a sewer map of your local area.
This information is essential to know if you live somewhere serviced by a private drainage system. Ask your local drainage inspection specialist if you want to know more about the system!
