Blocked drain clearance, CCTV surveys and drain repairs across 17 East Sussex towns. 24/7 emergency response, fixed upfront pricing.
Call 07824 757572Region-specific guidance on water suppliers, responsibility, building regulations and drain ownership — sourced from Ofwat, Defra, the Planning Portal and Southern Water.
Southern Water is the water and sewerage undertaker for East Sussex, regulated by Ofwat (the economic regulator), the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) for water quality and Defra for policy.
Their main customer line is 0330 303 0368.
Source: dwi.gov.uk
In East Sussex, Southern Water is the statutory sewerage undertaker (regulated by Ofwat under the Water Industry Act 1991).
They maintain public sewers and lateral drains beyond the property boundary; homeowners are responsible for drains inside their boundary, while landlords typically retain liability for blockages unless a tenancy agreement transfers it. Citizens Advice publishes the canonical consumer-facing summary of who owns what.
Source: citizensadvice.org.uk
Drain repairs in East Sussex must comply with Building Regulations Approved Document Part H, enforced locally by Building Control at the relevant district council (Wealden, Lewes, Rother, Hastings, or Eastbourne).
Related services: drain repair services
Replacing a section of pipe usually doesn't need a full application, but a building notice may be needed where a drain is being relaid, redirected, or where its connection to a public sewer changes. Always check with your local council building control before excavation; non-compliant work can void home insurance and complicate sales.
Source: planningportal.co.uk
Yes, in places.
Related services: drain repairs · CCTV drain survey
East Sussex has pockets of post-war and 1960s estate development — particularly around Bexhill, Hailsham, Eastbourne's outer wards and parts of Hastings — where pitch fibre drains were laid during the building boom of roughly 1955-1970. The pre-war Victorian and Edwardian seaside terraces along the coast typically use clay; the risk concentrates on the inland post-war housing. Pitch fibre fails by delaminating and going oval, so repeated jetting that doesn't hold is a strong signal. A CCTV survey identifies it on sight; re-rounding then lining (or excavation if the pipe has collapsed) is the usual fix.
Source: sava.co.uk
Read more on our blog: /blog/do-you-have-pitch-fibre-pipes/
Southern Water requires a build-over agreement before constructing within 3m of a public sewer.
Related services: CCTV drain survey
Submit the application before excavation; Southern Water aims to respond within five working days of receiving a complete submission and may require a CCTV pre-survey or a structural assessment as conditions. Building over a public sewer without an agreement can leave you liable for re-routing costs and risks refusal of building control sign-off.
Source: southernwater.co.uk
Last verified 25 May 2026.
Following completion of previously quoted drainage works, the customer requested confirmation that the foul drainage serving the property in Lewes was operating correctly.
All foul drainage was successfully surveyed and confirmed to be flowing as expected at the time of inspection, with no immediate obstructions identified.
A blocked foul drain at a property in BN20 was causing wastewater to back up and flow away slowly from the home’s internal plumbing.
The system was left free-flowing, preventing foul water backup into the property and restoring normal use of internal fixtures.
The customer reported a blocked external gully at a property in Eastbourne, resulting in restricted surface water drainage.
The gully was successfully cleared and surface water drainage was restored.
The customer reported a blocked external gully at a property in Eastbourne, causing restricted surface water drainage.
The gully was successfully cleared and left clean and free-flowing, restoring normal surface water drainage.
A blocked kitchen sink waste pipe was reported at a residential property in Lewes, causing restricted drainage from the sink.
The kitchen sink waste pipe was successfully cleared and left flowing normally.
A property in BN9 had a slow-draining waste pipe due to the line running too flat, causing water to sit in the pipe and back up into the gully.
Flow was restored and waste is now moving away correctly with the system currently free-flowing.