Sewers and drains

The network of sewers and drains, which take wastewater away from your property, are part public and part privately owned.

Anglian Water is responsible for public sewers and any pipes that you share with neighbours as well as any pipes that are outside your property boundary. The pipes within your property boundary that take wastewater away from only your home are your responsibility and also any pipes which don't connect to our system.

On 1 October 2011 Anglian Water took over responsibility for more sewers. This was due to a change in the law. Find out more about the sewer switchover.

We will arrange to visit and identify if the problem is in the public sewer (owned by Anglian Water) or in a private sewer or drain owned by you.

• If the problem is in the public system, Anglian Water will clear the pipe free of charge
• If the problem is in a drain or private sewer, you or the property owner will need to contact an independent drain clearing specialist to carry out the work. You will need to meet the cost of this work.

Blocked highway drains and road gullies can sometimes cause surface water flooding. They are the responsibility of the Highways Authority. You can find a contact number for your County Council Highways department in a local telephone directory.