Types of Drainage

All domestic properties and most commercial buildings rely on some form of drainage. Properties in Towns and Cities usually discharge their foul waste into public sewers. Surface water can either discharge into soakaways or public sewers. 
 
Properties in more rural areas rely on private systems, i.e. septic tanks, cess pits and private sewage treatment plants, for their foul waste discharge. Their surface water can either discharge into soakaways or directly into water courses. 
 
Although in the majority of cases these guidelines apply, there are always exceptions.