Essex County Council is responsible for dealing with flooding from surface water, groundwater and ordinary watercourses. The Environment Agency is responsible for dealing with coastal flooding and flooding from main rivers. 

 

Anglian Water covers most of the county, although Epping Forest, Harlow and some of Uttlesford is managed by Thames Water. 

 

This type of flooding should be reported to the Environment Agency's incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60. To listen to recorded flood warning information for your area or speak to someone for advice, call 0845 988 1188.

 

 

From surface water (rainfall)

If you are experiencing flooding to your property from surface water, groundwater or an ordinary watercourse (open ditches, culverts and drains), then contact your district, borough or unitary authority for advice.

 

Following a flooding incident if your property has been damaged by surface water flooding, the Strategic Flood Management Team at Essex County Council will be able to investigate the cause of the flooding and where possible recommend solutions.  The team can be contacted on 08457 430 430 or by e-mail flood.prevention@essex.gov.uk.

 
Owing to the nature of surface water flooding, it's not always possible to resolve or alleviate the problem. Householders may therefore need to install property-level protection in their home or drainage systems within the grounds of their property. For more information, see the National Flood Forum.