Pollution Control - Water

The responsibility for public drinking water safety lies with the individual water companies

Thames Water (Viola) (Opens new window to Thames Water website)
Three Valleys (Viola) or the (Opens new window to 3valleys website)
The Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) (Opens new window to DWI website)
The Local Authorities role is to monitor the quality and deal with specific issues and complaints relating to:

Private Water Supplies: For private individual and group water supplies from boreholes, wells or deep aquifers.
Bathing water: including swimming and spa pools at private health clubs.
Mains Water: When used in food manufacture and occasionally domestic supplies following an incident or complaint.

Drainage: Problems relating to public sewers must be dealt with by your Sewerage Undertaker which for South Bucks will be Thames Water who can be contacted on 08459 200800.
Environmental Health may become involved when there is a defect with a private drain or sewer or there is a dispute as to the responsibility for repairs. An Officer from Environmental Health will determine nature and the extent of the problem, the number of properties involved and the action required to resolve the problem. This can often be resolved between neighbours but on occasion may results in formal action being taken. More Information on Drainage leaflet below.


The Environment Agency (Opens new window to the environment agency) has general responsibility for the maintenance and improvement of the UK's inland water ways and for the quality of fresh, marine, surface and underground water in England and Wales.