Costs of maintenance and blockage of private sewer with multiple house connections

Questioner

In the fire lane on private property of 4 houses, a sewer pipe runs to the municipal sewer. We are at the end. At some point there is another connection from another block of houses. At the location of this connection, there have been blockages in the past that were only reported to us more than a year later. No action was taken at the time to repair them. Now, in consultation, the sewer has been renewed. Now I am receiving the bill for the unblocking costs. The blockage has been located with camera images at least 10 meters before we discharge into the municipal sewer. Are we liable for the costs?

Lawyer

There is a right of drainage on a private sewer, then it will usually appear from a deed (otherwise the law) how the distribution should be of the burdens and costs associated with maintenance, repair or replacement of the pipework. It is reasonable that everyone contributes in proportion to his right, usually proportional distribution.