Drainage problems
If you are experiencing problems with your drainage it is likely that you, and possibly your neighbours are sharing the same sewer system. A shared sewer will need to be resolved by informing all those connected.
If the problem occurs from council properties, please contact our Repairs & Improvements section.
Environmental Protection Services have an enforcement role to ensure that buildings have sufficient and satisfactory provision for drainage. We provide advice to property owners to assist in removing blockages, but if blockages are not cleared we can take enforcement action.
Shared sewers and Main sewers
The drainage system serving a building or group of buildings is 'private' until it connects with a main sewer. Main sewers are maintained and cleansed by Anglian Water Services plc and are usually found in the road. Two or more householders may share a private sewer. In this case they are jointly responsible for its cleansing and maintenance. In some cases, an entire housing estate can be on a private sewer and all householders are jointly responsible.
If we are asked to investigate problems with drainage, we will try and identify who is connected to the sewer and seek joint action to have the sewer unblocked. However, the final responsibility lies with the householder. If necessary, formal enforcement action can be taken.
County council
The surface water from roads and highways can drain into surface water sewers. Also, the gullies on the side of roads are the responsibility of The County Council, who can be contacted on 01522 552222.
Anglian Water is responsible for the cleansing and maintenance of the main sewer system. If you think the main sewer is blocked please contact Anglian Water on 08457 145 145.
How to avoid sewer blockages
- Don't flush rags, cotton wool, sanitary products, condoms, nappies, plastic or similar materials down the toilet:, put this waste in the bin.
- Medical items like needles and syringes should be placed in special Sharps bins.
- Don't pour fats, oils grease and food waste down the sink or your external drains. Allow this waste to solidify then dispose of in the bin.
- Recycle unwanted cooking oil at a recycling centre. If you run a catering business, try to find a company that will recycle your cooking oil.
Talking to your neighbours
If you are experiencing drainage problems, your neighbours may have a similar problem, so try to speak to them and establish where the problem may be.
How we can help
We can investigate complaints about blocked sewers. The following information will speed up the investigation:
- The address or position on the sewer where the blockage has occurred.
- Names and addresses of properties affected.
- Sewer maps if you have any.
- Frequency of blockages.
How will my complaint be dealt with?
In the first instance we will try to locate the property owners affected and offer advice. Often people are not aware that they are connected to a blocked sewer as the blockage could be some distance from their premises.
What actions can we take?
If voluntary action to unblock the sewer is not forthcoming then legal notices will be served on those properties connected. It is a minimum requirement to allow 48 hours for blockages to be cleared following notices being served. If the blockage remains, we can unblock the sewer and recover the costs from each household connected.
