Pollution & Noise FAQ's

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Last revised: 6 October 2008

Question

How do I make an ‘out of hours’ noise complaint (outside normal office hours) ?

Answer

The Environmental Health department normally deals with complaints and requests for service between 08:30 and 17:30. We do not as such operate a complaints service out of hours, however we do have officers 'on call' out of normal working hours. If you feel your complaint is an emergency, please call the Council's main switchboard on (01380) 724911 and you will be put through to our contact centre who will deal with your call in the most appropriate way.

Question

I want to make a noise complaint about..............

Answer

Domestic noise (e.g. noisy neighbours, DIY noise, barking dogs)

Outside & traffic noise (e.g. car stereos, street noise, traffic noise, aircraft noise)

Workplace & Industrial noise (e.g. various workplaces and industries, factories and premises and intruder alarms)

For more information on the Council's Statutory role on noise nuisance, please visit our Pollution & Noise pages

Question

What can I do about a blocked drain outside my house ?

Answer

It is the responsibility of the owner/occupier to maintain and clear a drain or a private sewer. If the property is rented then the responsibility will normally rest with the landlord. If you live in a row of houses served by a private sewer then this responsibility is shared equally between all the households served by the sewer. Should the sewer be affected by a blockage then it will be the equal responsibility of all those occupiers up from the blockage to carry out any works to clear the sewer.

If you have any queries concerning private drains or sewers then please contact the Housing and Pollution team in the Environmental Health Department on 01380 724911.

Any queries concerning public sewers should in the first instance be addressed to your statutory water undertaker (the company to whom you pay your water bill).

Wessex Water sewerage services 0845 600 4600

Thames Water sewerage services 0845 920 0800

Southern Water sewerage services 0845 278 0845

More information on drainage and sewers

Question

I want to make a complaint about pollution / odour from a nearby industrial premises, can you help ?

Answer

Problems with pollution and odour from industrial premises are dealt with by our Environmental Health department.  

Please telephone (01380) 724911 or email kennet@kennet.gov.uk

Visit our Pollution & Noise pages