Section 48: Power of local authority to examine and test drains, &c., believed to be defective.

Public Health Act 1936 · 1936 c. 49View on legislation.gov.uk

Part II: Sanitation and Buildings

Where it appears to a local authority that there are reasonable grounds for believing that a sanitary convenience, drain, private sewer or cesspool is in such a condition as to be prejudicial to health or a nuisance, or that a drain or private sewer communicating. . . indirectly with a public sewer is so defective as to admit subsoil water, they may examine its condition, and for that purpose may apply any test, other than a test by water under pressure, and, if they deem it necessary, open the ground.

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If on examination the convenience, drain, sewer or cesspool is found to be in proper condition, the authority shall, as soon as possible, reinstate any ground which has been opened by them and make good any damage done by them.

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Reuse reviewed 21 August 2026 under Open Government Licence v3.0.