Not connected to foul sewer

[tvr wife]

We are hoping to move in the near future and we have now received the drainage and water search.

The question I have is that the search says that the property is not connected to a 'public foul sewer', the plan however indicates that there is a 'public combined sewer' more or less in the lounge (obviously I suspect they mean under the house?).

From your experiences is this a realistic situation or is something wrong with the search?

I'm presuming the house isn't currently floating on 40 years worth of foul water!

Thanks in advance for your advice

[herbialfa]

Highly unlikely there is a main sewer running under the house! Highley unlikely!

[sherman]

Unless its a storm sewer under the house and the house is not connected to a waste sewer? There isn't a septic tank on the plans anywhere is there?

[Stegel]

All it means is that the house is served by a "combined sewer" - takes foul (ie from toilets, sinks etc) as well as surface water - rather than having a separate foul sewer connection just taking foul water and a separate surface water sewer taking rainwater. Older housing is normally on a combined sewer, newer houses on separate systems as it prevents sewage works being overwhelmed in periods of heavy rain and having to waste resources on water that could safely go straight to rivers.

As for the sewer passing under the house, it's rare but not unheard of - ask your solicitor to check if there are any easements or wayleaves for the sewer and its maintenance.

[tvr wife]

Thanks for your comments, I will check with the solicitors.

There is no mention of any septic tank on the plans and nothing visible at the property.