Are you connected to the wrong drain?

Misconnection of washing machines and dishwashers is a common problem in domestic properties. One water company reported as many as 400 incidents in which household drains and appliances were incorrectly plumbed in to the wrong drainage system — surface water rather than foul water.

That means that they were polluting the watercourses. It also means their owners would have been served with enforcement notices by the Environmental Health Officer to correct the situation within a set time period, or face prosecution.

For the record, there are normally two different types of drains connected to a house: the main (foul water) drain which leads to the water treatment and sewage works; and the surface water drains which are designed to carry only uncontaminated rainwater from roof gutters into a local river or watercourse.

Waste from baths, showers, toilets, sinks, washing machines and dishwashers should always go through the foul sewer system to be treated before it is released back into the waterways. In some cases, people who do not know what they are doing accidentally connect them into the surface water system — and the sewage and waste ends up in our rivers. Incredibly, it can even be professional plumbers who are the culprits.

Often a misconnection is made when a house is extended or modernised and, for whatever reason, it seems that properties built in the sixties and seventies are most likely to be affected. However, whether it was your fault or not, you are breaking the law and, as a householder, you are responsible for remedying the situation.

Water companies take this issue seriously. But remember, forewarned is forearmed, so check your plumbing before you get a nasty surprise. Visit connectright.org.uk for more information.

And if the worst happens, just call Lanes for quick and expert service to put things right.