We prepared for the transfer of responsibility for private sewers from property owners to water companies.

More than 17,500km of pipes will come under our ownership overnight when the transfer takes place on October 1, 2011. The move will almost double the size of our network to nearly 40,000km – the same as the circumference of the Earth.

We developed plans to improve the service we currently provide and ensure that the transfer takes place with no disruption to customers.

Our first priority will be the continuing operational maintenance of the transferred sewers, focusing on clearing blockages.

At the same time, we will gather information on which sewers need to be repaired or replaced to help us build a programme of priority investment for those in most urgent need.

Householders will remain responsible for drains (pipes serving just their homes) inside the boundary of their properties.