Gwenda Thomas AM Backs Sewerage Proposals

Gwenda Thomas AM has backed proposals that would make it the responsibility of water and sewerage companies to maintain private sewers and drains – and not householders in the Neath Constituency.

Welsh Labour’s Environment Minister, Jane Davidson, put forward the proposal as part of her published water policy statement.

Mrs. Thomas said: “This is fantastic news for householders across - Neath / Swansea Valley / Amman Valley - who often don’t even realise they might bear responsibility for private sewers and drains.

“This can be very expensive if you are unfortunate enough to be liable for any damage and these changes will alleviate that burden.”

Welsh Labour’s Jane Davidson said: “We are taking action to bring greater clarity and fairness to the management of sewerage and drainage systems in Wales.

“The intention is that from October 2011 responsibility for private sewers and lateral drains will lie with water and sewerage companies rather than with individual householders.”

The Assembly Government is currently drafting the necessary regulations to make this change happen. The transfer is still subject to National Assembly for Wales’ approval but is on course to take place in October 2011.

The revised Water Policy Statement is available at
here