Blocked drains and sewers

If in doubt contact us on (01624) 687687. We can advise you about help available in the event of blockages or flooding.

Public sewer

If the problem is being experienced by more than one property and/or there's widespread sewer flooding in the area, the blockage could be in the public sewer or on the shared drains so it's a job for us.

Private drain

If the problem is only affecting your home, you don't share a drain with another property or there is no other flooding in the area then it is likely to be a problem with your drainage pipes and you should contact a plumber or drainage company. If you are in any doubt please contact us on (01624) 687687 for further advice.

Responsibility for the Island's sewers and drains is shared between property owners, Highway Services Division and us.

Property owners 

The drains which carry household wastewater are normally the property owner's (or the landlord's) responsibility up to the point where they connect to the public sewer. There will often be one of our manholes at that point. The connection to the public sewer may be beyond your property boundary.

Manx Utilities

We are responsible for public foul, combined and surface water sewers. These are usually in roads or public open spaces, but may run through private gardens. We have a right of access to these sewers for maintenance. A sewer generally becomes public at the point at which it conveys flows from more than one property.

Highways

The Highway Services Division of the Department of Infrastructure is responsible for maintaining the Island's highway drains.

Jewellery or personal items can get flushed away by accident. If you think the item could be stuck in the u-bend a plumber may be able to help you retrieve it, but once these items get into the sewer it is an impossible task for us to try and find them.