For suspected public-sewer flooding, contact Anglian Water directly. For roadside gullies, use Suffolk Highways. Local reporting contacts are below; this enquiry service does not provide emergency dispatch.
What counts as a drainage emergency?
Sewage entering a building, uncontrolled wastewater overflow or loss of essential sanitation can need urgent action. A slow sink alone is a different situation. Tell the responder exactly what is happening, who is affected and whether there is immediate danger.
Urgency comes from the consequences as well as the symptom. Wastewater entering living space, an uncontrolled sewage overflow or loss of the only usable toilet needs a different response from a mildly slow basin. Explain what is happening now, whether it is worsening and whether anyone is at risk.
For Sudbury and Great Cornard, a suspected public-sewer incident should be reported directly to Anglian Water, whose sewer-flooding helpline is 03457 145145. Highway flooding with an immediate public safety risk should be reported to Suffolk Highways on 0345 606 6171. This site receives enquiries for review; it does not dispatch an emergency team.
Useful next steps
Sources: Anglian Water: flooding in your home · Suffolk Highways: report a blocked road drain
Sewage backing up into the house
Do this now
- Keep clear of contaminated water and keep others away.
- Reduce wastewater entering the affected system.
- Report suspected public-sewer flooding directly to Anglian Water.
- If there is immediate danger, use emergency services rather than waiting for an email reply.
Sewage overflowing outside
Do this now
- Keep children and pets away from the sewage.
- Note where it is emerging without entering the water or opening unsafe covers.
- Report a suspected public-sewer incident to Anglian Water, explaining any risk to a building or watercourse.
Drain overflowing
Distinguish wastewater overflow from rainwater pooling if you can do so safely. Give the exact location and timing. A roadside gully and a private foul drain need different responders; use the local reporting contacts below rather than assuming every overflow needs a private call-out.
An overflow in an inspection chamber, a toilet and a roadside gully are not interchangeable reports. Describe the asset and the water if you can do so without approaching a hazard. If the source is unknown, say so: an uncertain observation is more useful than a confident but unsupported diagnosis.
Sudbury has historical surface-water flood investigations at East Street and Bulmer Road, but those reports do not tell you the cause of a new incident. Current rainfall, the affected location and whether wastewater is involved determine the information to pass to the responder. Do not use an old report as evidence that today’s fault is unresolved.
Sources: Suffolk: Bulmer Road flood investigation (2017 incident) · Suffolk: East Street flood investigation (2014 incident)
Toilet overflowing
Do this now
Our enquiry form does not confirm an emergency booking and is not continuously monitored.
- Stop flushing the toilet.
- Reduce use of connected fixtures if they worsen the overflow.
- Arrange direct help according to drain ownership.
Multiple drains suddenly blocked
A sudden problem across several outlets or neighbours can involve a downstream shared run. List what is affected and when it started. Ask Anglian Water to assess suspected public-sewer issues before arranging private work on an asset that may be theirs.
Flooding caused by a blocked drain
Do not walk or drive into floodwater: hazards can be hidden. Tell the responsible authority whether the affected drain is on a road, private land or part of a public sewer. Heavy-rain flooding may involve more than a blockage, so avoid making an unsupported diagnosis.
Bad sewage smell in the house
A strong smell should be investigated, especially with visible wastewater or blocked outlets. Keep away from sewage and explain the accompanying symptoms. Do not assume a smell alone proves an emergency sewer collapse; if there is immediate danger, seek emergency assistance directly.
What to do during a drainage emergency
Do this now
Once the immediate incident has been reported, keep a single record of the time, reference number, affected locations and advice received. If someone attends, ask them to record whether they restored flow, identified a private defect or referred the matter to the sewer operator. This makes a repeat incident easier to explain.
Photographs can help later, but only take them from a safe, uncontaminated place. Do not enter floodwater, expose yourself to wastewater or disturb unsafe covers to get evidence. If essential facilities remain unusable, discuss safe arrangements with the appropriate responder rather than assuming that a submitted enquiry has secured attendance.
- Move to safety and keep people away from sewage.
- Avoid adding wastewater to an overflowing system.
- Contact the responsible operator or an appropriate professional directly.
- Keep report references and observations gathered from a safe place.
Useful next steps
Sources: GOV.UK: help during a flood
Should I stop using water when a drain is blocked?
Quick answer
Reduce use of fixtures connected to the affected drain while wastewater backs up. Ask the attending professional which parts of the system can safely be used.
Can I stay in a house with sewage backing up?
There is no blanket answer for a sewage-affected home. Contamination, safe sanitation, electrical hazards and vulnerable occupants matter. Seek appropriate professional advice about safe occupancy and cleaning; use NHS 111 for health concerns and emergency services for immediate danger.
Who should I call for an overflowing sewer?
Who to contact directly
- Suspected public-sewer flooding: Anglian Water, 03457 145145, available 24 hours.
- Immediate public safety risk from highway flooding: Suffolk Highways, 0345 606 6171.
- Immediate danger to life: 999.
Emergency drain unblocking
Before a private call-out, describe the active incident and ask about availability, price and the initial scope. Attendance is not guaranteed through this website. If ownership is unclear or several properties are affected, report to Anglian Water as well rather than delaying a public-sewer assessment.
Emergency drain repairs
Immediate work may be limited to controlling the incident or restoring essential flow. Permanent repair can require investigation, permissions and a separate scope. Ask what is being authorised now, what remains afterwards and how additional costs will be agreed.
Out-of-hours drainage problems
Quick answer
Anglian Water’s sewer-flooding helpline operates around the clock; private contractors set their own availability. This email enquiry service does not provide out-of-hours dispatch.
Emergency drainage costs
Ask whether the quote includes…
Confirm responsibility where possible: public-sewer reporting and a private contractor quotation are different routes.
- Call-out, out-of-hours uplift and VAT.
- The time and work covered by the initial attendance.
- A separate charge for a permanent repair.
- Agreement before additional work.