Hellingly Battles Sewage Floods: Southern Water Commits £1.2M for Repairs

Residents of Hellingly, an East Sussex village, have been facing a persistent battle against sewage and rainwater floods over the past few years. The situation came to a head in November 2023 when several properties were inundated with sewage following Storm Ciarán. The flooding incidents continued in 2024 and 2025, causing significant damage to homes in the area.

In response to the ongoing crisis, Southern Water, the local water company, has stepped up its efforts to address the issue. The company has already committed £1.2 million to repairs and has been working to seal the sewers and manholes, which have been allowing groundwater to force its way into the pipes and overload the network.

According to project manager Samuel Jenkins, the initial sealing efforts have been successful in reducing the influx of groundwater, but the company now needs to take further action to prevent future flooding events. The comprehensive survey of 70 properties in Hellingly is currently underway, as Southern Water aims to identify and address the root causes of the problem.

As of October 6th, 2025, the situation in Hellingly remains an ongoing concern, with the water company's efforts to mitigate the flooding still in progress. Residents of the village will be hoping that the £1.2 million investment and the continued work to seal the sewers will finally provide a long-term solution to the recurring flood crisis.