Flooded and waterlogged roads result when the amount of water arriving on the road is greater than the capacity of the drainage facilities that take it away. Exceptional rainfall, a road being in a low lying area, changes in 'run off' from adjacent fields and rivers overflowing are some situations that can lead to the road flooding or being waterlogged even when drains are in good working order. Material carried into the drains by floods can also lead to them becoming blocked. Drainage grills and gratings (e.g. on gullies) can become blocked very quickly when materials like mud are deposited on the road or when there is a heavy fall of leaves. If a flooded road is caused by a ruptured water main then the water company will be responsible for repairing the damage.
Water is directed to drains by the road profile. Puddles (ponding) tend to occur if there is a depression in the road. This can be rectified where necessary by local patching of the road surface.
The following notes give guidance on who to contact for various types of flooding:
Flooding from Public Sewers
A Public Sewer is a sewer adopted and maintained by Severn Trent Water Limited. Such sewers are normally larger diameter and found under the highway, but can be anywhere. A sewer under a highway is not automatically a public sewer. The Council and Severn Trent Water Ltd. hold copies of the Public Sewer Maps showing the locations of public sewers. If a sewer is not shown on the Public Sewer Map it will be assumed private unless you can prove otherwise. Further information is available as follows:
Flooding from Private Sewers or Drains
If your private drains or sewers are overflowing, you will need a drainage contractor to deal with any blockage. During the normal working week, the Civil Engineering - Drainage Section can give advise or you may alternatively choose to employ a private contractor; there is a wide choice to be found in Yellow Pages under "Drain and Pipe Cleaning". Always ask for and compare quotes before employing any contractor. If you are uncertain if any blockage is in the public or private sewers, the water company should be able to determine this, once on site, then recharge you the cost of any work on the private sewers.
Flooding from the Public Highway
Dudley Council is responsible for the cleaning and maintenance of pedestrian street drains and gullies that are on the public highway. These are the gullies that run along the kerbside, carrying rainwater away. For flooding from the public highway or reporting blocked road gullies or gratings, please contact below.
Flooding from a Burst Water Main
The local water company are responsible for their supply up to and including the water stopcock.
Flooding from a Water Service Pipe or Internal Pipe work
This is the responsibility of the homeowner or landlord and would need the attention of a plumber (see "Yellow Pages" or similar directories).
Flooding from a Main River
The main rivers are the responsibility of the Environment Agency. The route and extent of these Main Rivers within the Borough can be accurately determined from plans held by the Environment Agency. In addition, the Agency provide a "Floodline", which is a 24 hour advice and information service for floods and flood warning on 0845 988 1188.
Flooding from Watercourses, other than Main Rivers
Watercourses, other than main rivers, are the responsibility of riparian owners. You are a riparian owner if your property or land is on, or very near, a watercourse. Riparian owners have a duty to keep the watercourse clear of any obstruction to flow and the Council can serve legal notices on riparian owners to deal with obstructions.
