Council involvement is most likely where the problem relates to highway drainage, road gullies or surface water on public roads rather than private drains.
The most useful first step is to look at the pattern: what is affected, when it happens, whether the issue is inside or outside, and whether it has happened before.
Quick checks
Use these quick checks to understand the issue:
- A road gully is blocked or overflowing
- Surface water is collecting on the highway
- The issue is in the road rather than your property
- Kerbside drainage appears blocked
- Flooding affects public access
- No private fixtures are backing up
What the symptoms can tell you
Road gullies and highway drains
Drainage points in the road or highway are usually separate from private household drains.
Private outside drains are different
A gully in a garden, driveway or yard is not necessarily a council issue.
Shared or public sewers may involve the water company
If a shared sewer or lateral drain is involved, the water company may be the correct organisation.
When further investigation or help may be needed
Drainage support or CCTV investigation may be useful when symptoms keep returning or the cause is unclear.
- Water is backing up or overflowing
- More than one fixture is affected
- Bad smells or gurgling are present
- The same issue keeps returning
- An outside drain is involved
- The cause is unclear
Useful information to include in the enquiry
A short, practical summary helps the enquiry be understood quickly.
- Your postcode
- What is affected
- Whether it is inside or outside
- Whether water is backing up or overflowing
- Whether bad smells or gurgling are present
- Whether it has happened before
Common causes and practical indicators
Gradual build-up
Grease, silt, scale, wipes or everyday debris can reduce flow over time.
Local restriction
One affected fixture can point to a blockage close to that outlet.
Wider blockage
Several affected fixtures can suggest a restriction further along the run.
Root or pipe damage
Recurring symptoms may need CCTV investigation to understand the cause.
Shared drainage
Neighbouring properties or shared chambers can change the likely next step.
LEEDS DRAINAGE HELP
Get help understanding a drainage issue in Leeds
Send a short description of what is happening, where the issue appears and whether water is backing up or overflowing.
Include your postcode and any details about previous clearing, recurring symptoms or outside drains that are affected.