Flo-Rite · Local guidance
Local drainage &
plumbing guidance
Clear starting points for property owners in York and Yorkshire. Understand pipe responsibilities, prepare for drainage work and find advice from the organisations that set the rules.
Practical information. Official sources. Local support.
Start here
Who should you contact?
The right first call depends on the type of pipe and who maintains it. These are useful starting points before arranging a repair.
A leak or blockage at your property
Indoor plumbing and drains serving only your property within its boundary are usually the owner’s responsibility. Flo-Rite can discuss private plumbing and drainage repairs. If you rent, contact your landlord or managing agent first.
A shared drain or public sewer
Contact your sewerage provider to confirm responsibility. Many shared drains connected to public sewers are maintained by the water company, but newer or unadopted systems can differ. Check your wastewater bill to identify the provider.
A blocked road gully or standing water
Use the relevant council’s reporting service for road drainage issues. York and North Yorkshire have separate reporting routes. Private roads, ditches and trunk roads may have different responsible bodies.
Understand the essentials
Before drainage work starts
Select a topic for a short explanation and the official guidance behind it.
Private drains and public sewers: what’s the difference?
A private drain normally serves a single property. A sewer carries wastewater from more than one property. Whether a shared pipe is public also depends on its connection and adoption history.
Yorkshire Water highlights exceptions for some properties built after 2011. Its ownership diagrams are a useful starting point, but check your own arrangements with the sewerage provider.
Building over or close to a public sewer
Before planning an extension or foundations, establish the location and ownership of nearby drains. Yorkshire Water says its consent is needed before building over or within three metres of a public sewer it maintains.
Check requirements with the sewerage provider and your building control body before work starts. Planning permission and sewer consent are separate matters; keep the relevant written responses with your project records.
Drainage alterations and Building Regulations
Approved Document H provides guidance on meeting drainage and waste disposal requirements under the Building Regulations in England. It covers matters including foul drainage, rainwater drainage and building near sewers.
The requirements and approval route depend on the proposed work. Discuss new drainage, rerouting pipes or significant alterations with your building control body before proceeding.
Driveways, front gardens and rainwater run-off
For front driveways in England, government guidance explains when permeable surfacing or directing rainwater to a lawn or border can avoid the need for planning permission. Traditional impermeable surfacing over five square metres generally needs permission if it does not allow water to drain to a permeable area.
Check the site’s restrictions and drainage design with your local planning authority. This guide is a starting point, not approval for a particular driveway or discharge arrangement.
Septic tanks and properties off the mains sewer
Private sewage systems have their own responsibilities. In England, operators must meet the applicable general binding rules or have an environmental permit. Requirements depend on the system and where it discharges.
Use the Environment Agency’s guidance to check your situation before changing or replacing a system. A septic tank must not discharge directly into a watercourse.
Waste removal and safe excavation
If you arrange for a business to remove your waste, check that it is authorised and ask where the waste will go. The Environment Agency register allows you to check the carrier’s registration.
Excavation also needs proper planning to identify and avoid buried services. HSE guidance explains the role of planning, locating services and safe digging practices; a utility plan alone is not a complete safety check.
Read waste duty of care guidance
Read HSE excavation guidance
Go straight to the source
Official resources & local contacts
Use these direct links for current requirements, reporting services and application guidance.
Who owns the pipe?
Check responsibility for household plumbing, water supply pipes, private drains and public sewers.
Building near a public sewer
Find the consent process and information needed before building over or close to a public sewer.
York water & drainage problems
Find local reporting routes for gullies, standing water, damaged covers and other drainage issues.
Road drains & flooding
Check who maintains highway drainage and report road flooding in the council’s area.
Approved Document H
Read guidance on meeting England’s Building Regulations requirements for drainage and waste disposal.
Front gardens & rainwater run-off
Understand permeable paving and drainage considerations when creating or replacing a front driveway.
Septic tanks & treatment plants
Check the general binding rules and when a permit may be needed for a small sewage discharge in England.
Waste carrier public register
Look up a business by name, registration number or postcode before arranging waste removal.
Waste duty of care
Read official guidance on checking who takes your waste and how it should be handled.
Working near underground services
Read HSG47 guidance on planning work, locating services and safe excavation.
Make your enquiry easier
Before you arrange a visit
A few details can help us understand the work and discuss the next step.
- Tell us what is happening.
Describe the leak, blockage or proposed repair, when it started and whether other fixtures or properties are affected. - Send your postcode and useful photos.
Photos of the affected area and any visible pipework can help. Keep clear of hazards and do not enter drains or chambers. - Share any existing information.
Let us know about previous repairs, drainage plans, inspection reports or contact with the water company or council. - Discuss access and the proposed work.
Tell us about gates, restricted spaces or tenant arrangements. Ask what the quote includes and which permissions need confirming.
Sources checked: 15 October 2026. This page provides general information for England. Requirements and responsibilities vary by property; use the linked official guidance and confirm your project with the relevant authority or provider.
The linked organisations are independent of Flo-Rite. Links are provided for information and do not imply endorsement or accreditation.
Flo-Rite Draincare & Plumbing Ltd
Need help with your next step?
For plumbing repairs, blocked drains and suitable drain relining or patch repairs across York and Yorkshire, speak to Flo-Rite about your property.
Company number 17353787Serving York & Yorkshire