Introduction
Following the summer floods of 2007, new legislation was introduced which set out a range of new duties and responsibilities for both the Environment Agency and local authorities in planning for, and delivering effective flood risk management.
The Environment Agency has an overview for all flood risk management, and has specific responsibility on flood risk management from:
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The sea;
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Reservoirs; and
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Rivers historically designated as 'main rivers'.
We are designated as a Lead Local Flood Authority and we are responsible for leading on local flood risk management, which covers:
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Surface water flooding (when rain water cannot get away quick enough through drains and begins to pond on the surface);
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Ground water flooding (where the ground becomes over-saturated after extended periods of rain);
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Ordinary watercourses (such as small rivers, streams, canals, ditches ponds and small lakes, which are unable to contain the volume of water, usually after a heavy storm or rain over an extended period of time).
Work on our new duties is ongoing, in partnership with other stakeholders, more information can be found on the Statutory Flood Risk Management Responsibilities.
Legislation