Who does what

Environment Agency

The Environment Agency, (Hereafter, EA), is the non-government departmental public body set up to protect the environment from threats such as flooding and pollution. While local authorities are responsible for setting local strategy for local flood risks, the EA plays a key role in setting national strategy for flood and coastal erosion risk management and provides support and guidance to local authorities.

EA is responsible for flooding from ‘main rivers’, which in Luton are the River Lea and its tributaries - Houghton Brook, Cat Brook, Lewsey Brook and the Mill Stream. The EA website allows you to find out about the risk of flooding in your area available on the Learn more about flood risk webpage. The website also provides you with Flood Information Service for flood warnings for England. Alternatively you can use the Flood line Service to listen to recorded flood warning information or speak to an operator for general advice, 24 hours a day. To access Floodline please call 0845 988 1188.

Thames Water

Thames Water is responsible for the network of public sewers in Luton. Flooding can occur from foul or surface water sewers. Sewer systems can easily become blocked by oils, fats or grease, or can become flooded by large quantities of surface water entering them.

Further information on Thames Water’s responsibilities and practical advice on how best to respond to wastewater flooding can be found on their How to report pollution webpage.