Sewer flooding
If you think there is a blockage or you are experiencing flooding from our public sewer, please let us know by calling 0845 9200 800 (Minicom or Typetalk: 0845 7200 898). We're here to take your call 24 hours a day.
Climate change, population growth, and the paving over of green spaces which provide natural drainage are putting increasing pressure on the sewerage network. This is often made worse by people disposing of unsuitable products down the sink or toilet, contributing to an increased risk of sewer flooding.Many areas have separate sewers to take foul waste and rainwater. In much of London and some other urbanised areas, the sewer system is combined, meaning that foul sewage from kitchens and toilets mixes with rainfall. This means that, during a heavy storm, the flow in the sewer is much greater and can reach maximum capacity.
Our sewers are designed to cope with the vast majority of storms but occasionally rainfall can be so heavy that it overwhelms the system. When this happens, sewage can overflow from manholes and gullies causing flooding to land, rivers and gardens. In the worst cases, sewage can even enter homes. Sewer flooding is unacceptable and we treat all cases with the highest priority.
If you experience sewer flooding at your property, please call us on 0845 9200 800 (Minicom or Typetalk: 0845 7200 898). We prioritise our investment for potential flood alleviation schemes depending on the severity and frequency of flooding. Therefore, it is important that all flooding incidents are reported so we can keep our records up-to-date.
See sewer flooding alleviation projects
Cleaning up
If flooding has occurred from our public sewer, we will offer to carry out a clean-up of the affected area(s), at no cost to you. We aim to do this on the same day; however, this may not always be possible if a large area is affected, or where flood waters have not yet receded. In these cases we will aim to attend your property within 48 hours after the flooding has been reported to us (our response times may vary during periods of exceptional weather). Our clean-up service may include:
- Litter picking
- Washing down affected areas
- Pumping out basements
- Disinfection
As part of your household insurance cover you may be entitled to a more comprehensive clean-up service, and may therefore like to arrange this with your household insurance company.
Contacting your insurers
It is important that you contact your household insurance provider immediately and inform them of any damage which has occurred as a result of the flooding. Failure to do this may affect any insurance claims you need to make.
If you are not insured and are experiencing financial hardship, we may be able to provide some assistance.
We may not be liable for damage caused by sewer flooding when it occurs for reasons beyond our control. We have no control over what is put into sewers or amounts of rainfall and it is for these reasons the law recognises we should not be responsible for the resultant damage. We are only responsible for damages if flooding is a result of our negligence.
