PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Sewage: Repairs and Maintenance (19 March 2024)

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will issue guidance to (a) local authorities and (b) water companies on their obligations to enforce sewage misconnection rectifications where the property owner does not rectify the faults as requested.

Asked by:
James Murray (Labour)

Under Section 59 of the Building Act 1984, local authorities can require property owners to rectify unsatisfactory drainage. If a property owner fails to act, the local authority can carry out the works itself and then recover its costs. The Secretary of State and his officials regularly meet with water companies to discuss their obligations, including around drainage performance.

Answered by:
Robbie Moore (Conservative)
2 April 2024