Other types of flooding

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Message last updated - Monday 23^rd December 2024

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Message last updated - Monday 23^rd December 2024

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Flooding can be awful and a very upsetting experience. We work very hard to stop any flooding from our sewers, but for various reasons flooding does sometimes happen.

We and other organisations are responsible for managing flood situations, however flooding is a complex issue and sometimes we will not be the best people to help.

The information below outlines who's responsible for what and who to contact if you do unfortunately, experience a flood.

Who to contact in a flood

Is the flooding coming from highway drains or major routes?

Is the flooding caused by a sewer?

Is the flooding from a blocked drain/manhole, rising up through the ground or causing excess water on a road?

Is the flood coming from a main river or sea?

Is the flooding from a small river, stream or ditch?

Is the flooding coming from highway drains or major routes?

Is the flooding caused by a sewer?

Is the flooding from a blocked drain/manhole, rising up through the ground or causing excess water on a road?

Is the flood coming from a main river or sea?

Is the flooding from a small river, stream or ditch?

Who To Contact:

Contact National Highways

Further Information:

Report major road flooding here

Who To Contact:

Contact Anglian Water

Further Information:

Report an issue or call us 03457 145 145

Who To Contact:

Contact your lead local flooding authority.

*Normally your county council.

Further Information:

Details and links to all county councils can be found here

Who To Contact:

Contact the Environment Agency

Further Information:

Call 0345 988 1188 or 0800 80 70 60

Who To Contact:

Contact your local internal drainage board or lead local flooding authority

*Normally the county council.

Further Information:

Find your local internal drainage board

Details and links to all county councils can be found here

Responsibilities

The Flood and Water Management Act 2010 made County Councils and Unitary Authorities the Lead Local Authorities (LLFAs) for their area. They are responsible for preparing and maintaining a plan for dealing with the risks of flooding from surface water, groundwater and ordinary watercourses in consultation with members of the public and the organisations listed.

LLFAs are also required to investigate any significant flooding incidents and publish the results. The map links below can tell you more about LLFAs in your area.

Your local county council highways department is responsible for surface water pipes which take rainwater from roads, pavements and road gullies.

Lead local flood authorities

Select from the list of county for information relating to LLFAs in your area.

Additional information

Environment Agency

The Environment Agency (EA) manages flooding from rivers and the sea and is responsible for the flood defences that protect against this.

Visit their website Opens in a new window

Individual land owners and Internal Drainage Boards (IDBs)

Are responsible for maintaining the land drains that channel away excess farmland water.

Find out here Opens in a new window

Anglian Water

We're responsible for all other sewers, including any pipes you share with your neighbours, and some surface water pipes which take rainwater away from your home.

Find out more Opens in a new window

You

You're responsible for sewers that serve only your property. You can find out more here on who's responsible for what.

Sewer responsibility Opens in a new window

Reasons for sewer flooding

Sewer flooding is often beyond our control. Pipes can become blocked, especially when cooking fat, wipes and other items are put down the drain instead of in the bin.

During extreme weather, periods of intense or prolonged rainfall or melting snow can overwhelm sewers, as they cannot carry the extra water away fast enough.

At times of flood, river banks may overtop or breach their banks and the rising river levels can stop sewer outflows from working properly. Flood water can get into the sewers and push sewage back up pipes, causing a water surge.

All of this can push sewage back up the pipes and cause them to surcharge. In these circumstances we are not liable for any problems caused by the flooding, though we can offer some limited help to clean-up.

Find out more about how we can help in the event of a sewage flood.

Our storm overflow map

Here you can find near real time data on storm overflow activations.

Find out more

Sewer responsibility

Use this handy diagram to understand who’s responsible for what.

Plumbing cover from HomeServe

Claim 24/7 and let expert plumbers be there for just £1 p/m in year 1.

Find out more

Can't find what you need? Ask us a question.

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Is the flooding coming from highway drains or major routes?

Is the flooding caused by a sewer?

Is the flooding from a blocked drain/manhole, rising up through the ground or causing excess water on a road?

Is the flood coming from a main river or sea?

Is the flooding from a small river, stream or ditch?

Responsibilities

Environment Agency

Individual land owners and Internal Drainage Boards (IDBs)

Anglian Water

You