Sewer and drain flooding

Uisce Éireann is responsible for the maintenance of the public foul water system and will clear any blockages that are occurring within the public sewer.

If sewage flooding is on the public side we will have it cleared as a matter of urgency. This is generally within 24 hours of it being reported.

If the issue isn't fixed within 24 hours it may be because the problem is not located in a public sewer. If it is investigated and found to be on the private side, responsibility then falls on the affected residents.

Who is responsible

Sewage flooding is usually caused by a blockage in drains, either on the private or public side. How can you tell which is which? Our pipe responsibility diagram shows where the private and public sides are located. If the issue is on the private side then you will need a professional drainage company to clear the blockage.

Sometimes it can be difficult to know what type of drain is flooding and who is responsible.

Storm water drain

• These are usually square shaped.
• They collect rainfall run off.
• Storm drains can flood or overflow in bad weather. This is due to excessive amounts of surface water. They are the responsibility of the Roads Department of the Local Authority.

Combined drain

• It is usually circular, egg shaped or brick culverts of various dimension shapes.
• A combined sewer is where storm and waste water is collected in the one pipe. A combined sewer can intermittently discharge to surface waters, and are designed to operate under storm conditions when the capacity of the downstream system is exceeded.
• It is the responsibility of Uisce Éireann.

Wastewater sewer

• These are usually round shaped.
• They collect wastewater that is is sewerage or industrial effluent.
• If a manhole / wastewater sewer is flooding it is the responsibility of Uisce Éireann to clear any blockages.

• Uisce Éireann has sole responsibility for the cleaning and maintenance of the public sewer network
• Householders / property owners are responsible for their internal plumbing and the private side pipework leading up to the sewer mains
• If you are connected to a septic tank or a private waste water system we cannot assist you