Sewer flooding compensation

If you have experienced sewer flooding, we will compensate you if it was caused by a problem with the public sewer.


Check if you are eligible

You will not be entitled to compensation if:

  • the flooding was caused by your actions or any defect, blockage or inadequacy of private drainage, council or highway drains
  • you tell us more than three months after your property was flooded
  • the flooding occurred outside the boundary of your property
  • the flooding happened because of an abnormal or unforeseeable event. *

* This includes a natural event outside our control, the consequences of which could not have been avoided by us exercising all due care (unless it is a repeat inadequate capacity issue we’re aware of).

Compensation for internal floods

If you have experienced an internal sewer flood, you will automatically receive an amount equivalent to your annual sewerage charges or £300, whichever is the greater (subject to a maximum of £2,000 per incident).

If it happens again within 12 months of the first incident, the minimum payment amount will increase by £100, and the maximum payment amount will increase by £500. For example, your second payment would go up to £2,500 or £400, and your third payment would go up to £3,000 or £500.

We will aim to write to you with your payment within five working days of the incident (up to a maximum of 20 working days) and tell you what actions we will take and any investigations we will carry out. If we were unaware of the sewer flood, you can contact us to claim the payment.

If we fail to make a payment within the 20 working days, we will automatically pay you a penalty payment of £40.

Within one month of the flooding, we’ll write to you to update you on our investigation into the incident and the next steps we will take.

Compensation for external floods

If you have experienced an external sewer flood, you can claim compensation equivalent to 50% of your annual sewerage charges or £150, whichever is the greater (subject to a maximum of £1,000 per incident).

If it happens again within 12 months of the first incident, the minimum payment amount will increase by £50, and the maximum payment amount will increase by £250. For example, your second payment would go up to £1,250 or £200, and your third payment would go up to £1,500 or £250.

To claim compensation for an external flood, please contact us. If your claim is successful, we will pay it within 10 working days of your claim. If we fail to do that, you are entitled to claim a penalty payment of £40.

Making a claim

If you plan on making a claim, please see our guidance below.