Guides › Energy and Water Bills › Sewer Flooding: Compensation From Your Water Company
Sewer Flooding: Compensation from Your Water Company
If a public sewer floods inside your home, your water company should refund your annual sewerage charge: in England at least £300 and up to £2,000. If it floods outside on your land, England pays 50% of the annual sewerage charge, from £150 to £1,000. Claims for outside flooding must be made within three months.
At a Glance
Your Rights
What the rules say, with a link to the official source for each.
Flooding Inside Your Home
England
Sewer flooding inside your property in England: a refund of your annual sewerage charge, with a minimum of £300 and a maximum of £2,000. For each repeat incident within 12 months, the minimum rises by £100 and the maximum by £500. Domestic outbuildings are included. source
Wales
Sewer flooding inside your property in Wales: a refund of your annual sewerage charge, with a minimum of £150 and a maximum of £1,000. source
Flooding Outside Your Home
Outside Your Home
Sewer flooding outside your property: in England, 50% of your annual sewerage charge, minimum £150, maximum £1,000 (rising for repeats within 12 months); in Wales, minimum £75, maximum £500. Claims must be made within three months of the incident. source
Consumer Council for Water
You can take your complaint to the Consumer Council for Water (CCW), which is free, once you have a final response (written or spoken) or eight weeks have passed since you first complained. Include evidence such as emails, bills or call notes. source
Time Limits to Know
Miss a deadline and you can lose a right. Check the dates on your own paperwork.
- 3 monthsClaim for sewer flooding outside your homeFrom the incident
- 10 working daysWater company reply at each of its two stages10 working days
- 8 weeksWater complaint to the Consumer Council for WaterAfter a final response, or 8 weeks from your first complaint
Steps to Take
Step 1 of 5
Keep yourself safe: sewage is a health risk. Report the flooding to your water company straight away.
Step 2 of 5
Take dated photos and keep a record of what was damaged.
Step 3 of 5
Claim your Guaranteed Standards Scheme payment in writing. For outside flooding, claim within three months. Our free letter templates can write it for you.
Step 4 of 5
Tell your home insurer about any damage: the scheme payment is not the same as an insurance claim.
Step 5 of 5
If the water company does not put it right, take it to the Consumer Council for Water.
(Tap the numbers to reveal steps)
Where to Go If It Is Not Put Right
Your options, in order, and when each one applies.
Your Water Company's Complaints Team
Always start here, in writing, then ask for a review if needed.
Consumer Council for Water
After a final response, or 8 weeks after your first complaint.
Your Water Company's Independent Adjudication Service
If still unresolved, ask the company to refer you. A new Water Ombudsman is planned but has no launch date.
Good to Know
Small things that make your complaint stronger.
Repeat flooding brings higher minimum and maximum payments in England, so keep a record of every incident.
Want Help?
If you would like one of our team to look at your problem, our initial case review is free. We cannot guarantee any outcome and we do not give legal advice.
Lead reviewer
Luke Marley
Founder and Lead Reviewer
Luke founded CPUK in 2026 after seeing how hard it is for ordinary people to get problems with companies put right. He oversees our guides and checks them against official sources.
Research by Katie Burt, Co-founder and Operations Lead (17 years in the care sector, including managing services for vulnerable adults), and the CPUK Research Team. Researched with AI-assisted research tools, then checked and corrected by our team.
Last checked: 13 October 2026. We are not paid by the companies we write about. Adverts never affect our guidance. Read our editorial policy.
Sources and official links
- ccw.org.uk/faq/what-standards-are-guaranteed-by-water-and-sewerage-companies Checked 13 October 2026
- ccw.org.uk/advice-and-support/make-a-complaint Checked 12 October 2026
- questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-08-28/22238 Checked 12 October 2026