Sewers
All sewage pipes outside your property boundaries and all those which are shared with another property within your boundary are the responsibility of sewerage and water companies. In Colchester, this is Anglian Water.
If you believe the sewer is blocked, you should contact Anglian Water for advice.
Contact details
Tel: 03457 145 145
Septic tanks and cesspools
Septic tanks and cesspools are often owned privately and serve only one property. They may also be shared by two or more properties. In this case, the responsibility for maintenance and upkeep rests equally with all users
If you have a septic tank or small sewage treatment plant, you must comply with the government’s general binding rules. Your system must be well maintained and must not cause pollution.
In areas designated as environmentally sensitive, you may need to apply for a permit if you install a new system.
Report a problem
Our Environmental Protection team can take action to investigate and resolve problems with spillage, overflow or odour affecting septic tanks and cesspools.