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Saturday, 21 November 2009

Reporting road flooding and burst water mains

Find out how to report a flooding problem on roads, burst water mains and blocked drains, and who is responsible for repairs.

Report flooding from roads and drains

To report flooding on public roads, blocked gullies, gratings or drains follow the link below. You will be taken to the relevant local authority website.

Flooding from private drains and sewers

To report an overflowing public sewer, you should contact your local council. The council has a copy of the sewer maps, which can be viewed at the council offices.

If private drains or sewers are overflowing, you will need a drainage contractor to deal with any blockage. Your water company may be able to do the repair work and charge you the cost of any work.

Flooding from a burst water main

To report a flood from a burst water main you should contact your local water supply company. The local water supply company is responsible for the supply of water and the pipes up to and including the water stopcock on the boundary of your property. A stopcock is a valve which is used to switch off the flow of water to your property.

Flooding in your home

If there is a flood in your home you should contact a plumber in the first instance. Internal pipework and the water service pipe are the responsibility of the homeowner or landlord. A water service pipe takes water from the stopcock on the boundary of your property to your house.

Flooding from a main river

To report flooding from a main river you should contact the Environment Agency. The Agency also provides a 'Floodline', which is a 24-hour advice and information service for floods and flood warnings.

Flooding from watercourses

If you own land or property adjoining a river or other watercourse (such as a brook, beck or mill stream) you are considered a 'riparian owner'. This means that you should keep the watercourse clear of any obstruction and the council can serve legal notices on you to deal with any obstructions.

Contact your local council's planning department to find out whether you are a riparian owner. There is more advice available from the Environment Agency on the rights and responsibilities of riparian landowners.

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