Harwich lies about 17 miles from Colchester in a straight line, to the east. By road the distance is roughly 20.1 miles, although traffic changes the journey. About 20,220 people live in the Harwich built-up area (includes Dovercourt) (ONS Census 2021). Harwich has its own set of water and drain issues, which this page explains. For the wider picture, see our Colchester page.
Anglian Water supplies most homes in Harwich, according to third-party data for the CO12 postcode district. The same data classes the tap water as very hard, at 312 mg/L of calcium carbonate. Hard water is safe to drink, says Anglian Water. However, it leaves limescale on taps, kettles and fittings. Our plumbing repairs page covers the common repairs.
Anglian Water is the sewerage company across Tendring too. Since 1 October 2011, shared drains and lateral drains outside your boundary have belonged to the sewerage company, which is Anglian Water in this area. You still own a drain that serves only your property inside its boundary. Therefore, if your neighbours have the same blockage, report it to the sewerage company.
Harwich sits on the estuaries of the Stour and the Orwell. Because water is never far away, tell us if drains slow down after heavy rain or at high tide. Our blocked drains page explains the usual causes of a blockage.
The whole of the older part of Harwich is a conservation area, except Navyard Wharf. Many medieval buildings survive as private homes. Many also hide behind 18th-century fronts, because owners updated the outsides first. The pipework behind the walls may therefore be old.
Lower Dovercourt grew mainly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Homes of that age may have older drains. Therefore a CCTV drain surveys visit can show what lies under the ground before any digging starts. When you write to us, mention the age of your home and any past problems, because both help the plumber plan the visit.
Nearby towns have pages of their own. See Clacton-on-Sea and Manningtree. If a leak starts suddenly, read our emergency plumber page first, because it lists the first steps.
Anglian Water says the pipe from the main normally belongs to it until your boundary box. Once the supply pipe enters your boundary, it is yours, so any leak there is the owner's job. Anglian Water also says a confirmed leak on a private supply pipe should be repaired within 30 days. Therefore it pays to confirm a suspected leak early.
To ask for help, use the form on this page. Say that you are in Harwich and describe the fault, because details help the plumber prepare. A local plumber will get back to you. Request a quote online and the plumber will discuss the job with you.
Third-party data for the CO12 postcode district shows Anglian Water. However, addresses differ, so check your bill to confirm your own supplier.
A third-party summary of Anglian Water results classes CO12 tap water as very hard. Hard water is safe to drink but leaves limescale, because of the minerals in it.
Use the 24/7 online enquiry form, say that you are in Harwich and describe the fault. A local plumber will get back to you, because the form goes to the team that covers your area.