Environmental Health and Trading Standards
Environment House
PO Box 42
Lombard Street
West Bromwich
B70 8RU

Tel: 0121 569 6600
Fax: 0121 569 6599
Email: environmentalhealth@sandwell.gov.uk
Opening Hours: Monday - Thursday 9.00am - 5.30pm, Friday 9.00am - 5.00pm

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.

All the public sewers in Sandwell, generally located under the highway, are owned and maintained by Severn Trent Water Limited. The freephone number to contact their flooding help desk is 0800 783 4444. Visit Severn Trent Water's website.

Housing Drains

The drains around a house are generally the responsibility of the owner of the property to maintain.

• If you are a Council tenant then contact your local neighbourhood office.
• If you are an owner-occupier, and if the blocked drain is serving just your own property, contact Sandwell Council Environmental and Consumer Protection, 0121 569 6600, who provide a free private drain cleaning service during normal working hours, 9.00am - 5.00pm, Monday to Friday.
• If your problem is outside these hours then contact any local drain clearance firm - details can be found in Yellow Pages in the 'Drain and Pipe Cleaning' section.
• If the blocked drain around your property is serving both your house and your neighbours, and the house was built before October 1937, then that drain is a public sewer for which Severn Trent Water have full responsibility. The freephone number to contact the Severn Trent flood desk is 0800 783 4444.

Rivers

The responsibility for the maintenance of the main rivers in Sandwell rests with the Environment Agency. During normal working hours contact the Agency on 01543 444141. Outside normal working hours contact the Agency on 0121 711 2324. Visit the Environment Agency's website for all up-to date flooding information on main rivers on .

Watercourses and Culverts

Watercourses, brooks, streams, channels and culverts are generally the responsibility of the owner of the property through which the water flows to maintain. To report any problem affecting a watercourse or culvert during normal working hours telephone 0121 569 4121 or if it is outside normal working hours telephone 07867 506556.

Watercourse Grids

Watercourse grids are generally the responsibility of the owner of the property through which the water flows to maintain. Sandwell do cleanse a number of grids on a regular basis at various locations in the Borough.

• Council Maintained Grids
  

Highway Drains

The gully grids, generally located at the side of the roads to take away the rainwater, are the responsibility of Sandwell Council to maintain and clean. To report any blockage of a road gully during normal working hours telephone 0121 569 4121 or if it is outside normal working hours telephone 07867 506556.

Water Mains

The responsibility for the maintenance and repair of the water supply mains in the road is generally South Staffordshire Waterworks Company Limited. To report a burst water mains /leak in the road or footpath contact South Staffs Water on 0800 3891011. For all information about South Staffs Water, visit their website.