Flooding and drainage issues
Flooding can arise from many sources and of course is mainly associated with heavy rainfall, but it can also be caused by blockages in the underground pipes. Visit the Met Office website to see the latest weather warnings.
Telford & Wrekin Council are responsible for:
- highway drainage, which includes the road gullies and associated pipe work
- land drainage systems such as ditches, culverts and land drains but only on Council owned land.
If your problem relates to any of the above then please report the problem using our online form.
Complete our online form to report a flooding or drainage problem
Last updated : 26 November 2024
Private drains and sewers
We are not responsible for the drains serving properties. These drains are generally private.
Responsibility for private sewer defects and blockages lies with the owners/occupiers of properties draining into the sewer upstream of any defect or blockage. Your local council may be able to help you find out which sewers are privately owned.
If you are partially or solely responsible for maintaining drains and sewers you may be covered by your house insurance for any damage.
If you have a problem with private drains you would normally need to contact a reputable builder or specialist drainage service.
Public sewers
We are not responsible for the main sewers which are generally located in the road. Sewers are either publicly or privately maintained. If they are publicly maintained, visit the Severn Trent Water website to find out who is responsible for repairs and maintenance to the sewer in your area.
Land Drainage and smaller watercourses
Landowners are responsible for maintaining land drainage and watercourses on their own land and have a duty to ensure a free flow of water. Works to change these systems may require consent and more information can be found on the Ordinary Watercourse Regulation page. If maintenance of land drainage or smaller watercourses is causing you an issue then should get in touch with the landowner in question. The Council do have discretionary powers to request maintenance, however we will only do so in extreme cases. Landowners are allowed to allow water to flow in it’s natural from from one piece of land onto another. Visit the GOV.UK website for more information on owning a watercourse.
Main Rivers
Landowners are responsible for maintaining their sections of “Main Rivers” like the Rivers Sever, Tern, Meese and Roden and the Coal Brook. The Environment Agency are the regulators for Main Rivers.
Environment Agency incident hotline
Telephone: 0800 80 70 60
24 hour service
Visit the GOV.UK website to find out about call charges.
Pollution
Environmental and Pollution incidents should be reported to the Environment Agency.
The Environment Agency
Visit the GOV.UK website to report an environmental incident.
Last updated : 26 November 2024
Telford & Wrekin Council are responsible for:
- highway drainage, which includes the road gullies and associated pipe work
- land drainage systems such as ditches, culverts and land drains but only on Council owned land.
If your problem relates to any of the above then please report the problem using our online form.
Complete our online form to report a flooding or drainage problem
Sewers (including foul flooding) and water mains - Severn Trent Water.
Small Rivers (Ordinary Watercourses) – landowner responsibility. Telford Lead Local Flood Authority are a regulator.
Big Rivers (Main Rivers) – landowner responsibility. The Environment Agency are a regulator.
Last updated : 29 October 2024