Water, sewage and bathing water
Examples: Sewage in the sea, Sewer flooding, No water or low pressure, Water bill dispute.
If someone is in danger or it can't wait:
What do you need?
Pick one — each answer below says where to start and where to go next.
I want to report a problem or apply for something
Start here
Environment Agency
Report sewage or pollution in the sea or a river → · 0800 80 70 60
Why them: The Environment Agency regulates discharges and pollution incidents.
- Review every report and decide whether to act
- Give you updates on your report
- Deal with rubbish in water (report that to the council)
Checked 23 September 2026 · source
Also useful
Southern Water
Report a sewer problem, sewer flooding or a pollution → · 0330 303 0368
Why them: Southern Water owns and runs the public sewers in Portsmouth.
- Fix sewer blockages and pollutions
- Report pollutions to the Environment Agency
- Deal with your drinking water supply in Portsmouth — that is Portsmouth Water
Checked 23 September 2026 · source
I want to challenge a decision that has been made about me
Start here
Your water company (Southern Water for sewerage, Portsmouth Water for supply)
Complain to the company about a bill or service → · 0330 303 0223
Why them: CCW will pass your complaint back unless the company has had the chance to resolve it first.
- Correct bills
- Pay guaranteed-standards compensation where owed
- Be bypassed — CCW requires the company process first
How long it should take: Southern Water: complaints by post and email answered within 10 working days.
- Consumer Council for Water (CCW) — If the company has not resolved it
Checked 23 September 2026 · source
Also useful
Portsmouth Water
Complain about your drinking water supply or bill → · 023 9249 9888
Why them: Portsmouth Water, not Southern Water, supplies drinking water in the city.
- Resolve supply and billing problems
- Deal with sewers or sewage discharges
How long it should take: No water after recent works: Portsmouth Water says it will work to resolve within 5 working days.
- CCW — If Portsmouth Water does not resolve it
Checked 23 September 2026 · source
I need someone to help me with my case
Start here
Consumer Council for Water (CCW)
Ask CCW to take up your complaint with the water company → · 0300 034 2222
Why them: CCW is the free, independent statutory voice for water customers.
- Advise you and take up your complaint with the company
- Take a complaint the company has not yet seen
Checked 23 September 2026 · source
I want to change how things are done, not just fix my case
Start here
Your MP (Portsmouth North or Portsmouth South)
Ask your MP to raise national law or funding with ministers →
Why them: The legal framework for sewage discharges and the reform of water regulation are set by Parliament and Defra.
- Write to or question ministers
- Raise the issue in Parliament
- Make representations on your behalf to UK government departments
- Direct council officers or decide council spending
- Overturn a court, tribunal or council decision
Checked 23 September 2026 · source
Also useful · Official proposal
Ofwat (economic regulator) — being replaced
Raise systemic company performance with the regulator (not individual complaints) →
Why them: Ofwat sets what companies can spend and charge; the government has announced it will be replaced by a single water regulator and a new Water Ombudsman.
- Regulate company finances and performance
- Deal with individual consumer complaints (Ofwat says so itself)
Checked 23 September 2026 · source
I have complained and it has not been put right
Start here
Water Redress Scheme (WATRS)
Ask WATRS for a final, independent decision after CCW →
Why them: Southern Water's published procedure names WATRS as the final step after CCW.
- Make a final adjudication on a water company complaint
- Hear a complaint before the company and CCW stages
Checked 23 September 2026 · source
Your councillors and MP
Useful if the route above has failed, or it's about local policy. Optional: we look up your postcode once and never store it.
Good to know
This tells you where to start and what comes next. It is not legal advice. Time limits shown are the ones each body publishes; always check your own decision letter, which may give a different deadline.