Who is responsible for blocked sewage pipe running under 'right of way' laneway?

Georgetta1

Sewage was overflowing from beneath the manhole covers on our property yesterday and also seeping up from a manhole cover in the private laneway that provides a right-of-way access to our house.  The cause of the massive blockage, according to the drain clearage man, is a build up of 'wet wipes' extending up from the junction in the private laneway where neighbour A's sewage pipe crosses from his property and goes under the lane and joins the pipe coming down from our house. The sewer pipe then extends under a wall on to neighbour B's property. We also have been plagued with drain flies and foul odours for the past couple of years which may be connected to this sewage problem.  It was expensive getting the pipe cleared and we are concerned that this may occur again.  As we are not the owners of the laneway and didn't cause the problem - we do not use 'wet wipes' or similar products - we'd like to know who is responsible in the future? Also is there some way to stop the back up of sewage from beyond the boundaries of our property?
I am 66 and my husband will be 70 this year and we both have underlying health issues (I have stage 4 breast cancer).  We are very worried that this problem from a health issue and from a cost issue.  I am also fearful about being infested with rats.

Irish Water: Allanah

Hi Georgetta1,

We're really sorry to hear that you have experienced this.

Irish Water are responsible for the maintenance of the public water and waste water network. If this issue came from within the private boundary, we recommend that you get in touch with your neighbours in relation to the incident and to express your concerns.

If the problem arises in again and you feel like there is a blockage on the public side, please get in touch with us here, and we can investigate for you.

We hope this information helps, please feel free to contact us again with any future queries.

Thanks,
Allanah

Georgetta1

Irish Water: Allanah wrote: »

Hi Georgetta1,

We're really sorry to hear that you have experienced this.

Irish Water are responsible for the maintenance of the public water and waste water network. If this issue came from within the private boundary, we recommend that you get in touch with your neighbours in relation to the incident and to express your concerns.

If the problem arises in again and you feel like there is a blockage on the public side, please get in touch with us here, and we can investigate for you.

We hope this information helps, please feel free to contact us again with any future queries.

Thanks
Allanah

Hi Allanah,
Thank you for your comments.
Could you clarify for me which neighbour is responsible for the sewage blockage?  Is it us, neighbour B, neighbour C, or A the owner of the private laneway? The situation is unclear as  

• We have cleared the blockage on our property.  
• The sewage pipe exits our property and continues half way down a private laneway (A)  over which we have a 'right of way'.
• We don't know who owns/is responsible for private laneway.
• The drainage man says the problem will recur as it is caused by blockages further along the sewage pipe where there is a T junction. 
• Ours is the only property affected.
• The blockages are caused by 'wet wipes' being flushed down the toilet.  We do not use 'wet wipes' or similar products so though we didn't cause the problem we are suffering the affects. 
• Our neighbour (B) on the left has their sewage pipe exiting their property, crossing the private laneway(A) and joining the pipe at this point (T junction).  
• The sewage pipe is also joined on the right (T junction) by a pipe from neighbour (C)'s property coming from under a wall onto private laneway.  Property (C) is an apartment block.
  

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Kind regards
Georgetta

Irish Water: Allanah

Hi Georgetta,

We understand your concerns in relation to this matter. As the blockage is arising from the private side, it would not be within our remit to investigate the source or who is responsible for the blockages.

It's necessary for you and your neighbours to have this matter investigated privately.

We're really sorry that we cannot be of further assistance.

Thanks,
Allanah