Private sewers are those owned by either the owner of the land it runs through, the owner(s) of the properties it serves, or an agent such as a Housing Association.  It is the owner’s responsibility to maintain a private sewer.  This includes any decision to connect new or additional drains to the private sewer. This responsibility extends until the pipe connects to the public sewer.  Sometimes in rural areas a private sewer may eventually connect to a privately-owned storage facility like a septic tank, or even to a privately-owned sewage treatment works.