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Sewer flooding

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What is it?

Sewer flooding is one of the most distressing things that can go wrong with wastewater. It’s when sewage from our network backs up and overflows into homes and gardens. This is usually through the toilet or outside drains.

This is different from sewage pollution which is when sewage gets into local water courses (rivers, seas and lakes etc).

Main causes of sewer flooding

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Blockages

When pipes get blocked, the sewage builds up and starts to build up and spill over from manholes in the street or in your garden.

Caring for your sewerage

Main causes of sewer flooding

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Weather

When we have lots of rain, sometimes our sewers get overwhelmed and can’t carry the water away quick enough.

What do I do if a sewer is flooding my home?

If you experience flooding from a public sewer or think that it's blocked, please call us on 0344 346 2020 so that we can investigate. We’ll clear any blockages and clean up any sewage debris outside your property.

If you have flooding inside your home, we can investigate and put you in touch with experts that can help with the clean up and talk with insurers.

The first thing to do is call us so that we can investigate and help you through your options.
If you suffer loss or damage as a result of either internal or external sewer flooding, please contact your insurance company as soon as possible.

Sewage flooding damage is covered by most building insurance policies, and they will be able to advise you on your next steps. This may include arranging cleaning the affected areas, finding temporary accomodation if needed, and any claims you can make for damage and losses.

Who's responsible?

Location	Description	Responsibility	Contact details
Coastal / Tidal	Rough seas, high tides or storm overflows on lower land	Local Authorities Environment Agency	Devon County Council Highways 0345 155 1004 Cornwall County Council Highways 0300 1234 222 Dorset County Council Highways 01305 221020 Environment Agency 0800 80 70 60
Groundwater	Waterlogged ground when water pools on the surface	Lead Local Flood Authorities Landowner
Highways	Surface water on roads, highways and pavements Blocked road drains / gullies and overgrown verges	Local Council Highways Department
Rivers and watercourses	Water draining into rivers and streams from nearby land	Lead Local Flood Authorities Environment Agency Riparian Owners Landowner
Surface runoff/ Land drainage	Landowners are responsible for their land drainage and must not cause problems for neighbours	Lead Local Flood Authorities Land owners
Surface water sewers	Most properties drain rainfall to public sewer, including flows from gutters/roads that end up in public sewers. Highway drainage is provided for rainfall onto the highway but in reality also includes water from fields/other property that finds its way onto the highway	Water and wastewater companies Local Authorities Housing Associations Private land owners Highway Authorities
Private sewers	Cesspits/ septic tanks, toilets or internal drains	Homeowner
Public sewers	Manholes and covers	Water and wastewater companies

Learn more about how to protect your property from flooding on the BeFloodReady website.

We're not generally liable for the escape of sewage, but we're sorry for any problems this may have caused. You may be entitled to a Guaranteed Standard of Service payment under our customer promise.

If you're the account holder and believe you're entitled to a Customer Promise Payment, please complete our Sewer flooding claim application form futher down the page.

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