Flood Risk Management Team
As the Lead Local Flood Authority, we manage the risk of flooding from ordinary watercourses, surface water and groundwater in Manchester. We work in partnership with other organisations to manage flood risk, deliver flood schemes and help communities to become more resilient to flooding.
Our responsibilities include:
- Developing a strategy for managing local flood risk
- Investigating flood incidents
- Maintaining an asset register
- Development management and Sustainable Draining Systems (SuDS), and
- Issuing land drainage consents for works on ordinary watercourses.
Developing a strategy for managing local flood risk
We are required to develop, implement, and monitor a Local Flood Risk Management Strategy (LFRMS). Read the LFRMS.
Investigating flooding incidents
We investigate significant flooding incidents and publish reports on their causes and effects. This duty includes:
- Identifying which authorities have flood risk management functions,
- Identifying what authorities have done or intend to do with respect to the incident,
- Notifying risk management authorities where necessary, and
- Publishing the results of any investigations carried out.
Maintain an asset register
We maintain a register of assets or features which are considered to have an effect on flood risk. This includes details on ownership and condition. We designate features as significant flood risk management assets. Permission is then required if any alterations or changes are to be made to these structures.
Development Management and Sustainable Draining Systems (SuDS)
We advise on sustainable drainage and flood risk in the planning process. For more details, see New development and flood risk. Where possible, developers must implement SuDS in all new development and redevelopment. For all new build planning applications, we recommend early consultation with the Flood Risk Management (FRM) team.
Issuing Land Drainage Consents for works on ordinary watercourses
We are responsible for the consenting of works in ordinary watercourses that may affect flow or flood risk. An ordinary watercourse is every river, stream, ditch, drain, cut, dyke, sluice, sewer (other than a public sewer) and passage through which water flows and which doesn't form part of a main river. Further detail can be found via Apply for consent: works affecting watercourses.
The Environment Agency retains responsibility for consents relating to main rivers. Contact them via enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk.
To get in touch with us, email floodriskmanagement@manchester.gov.uk
For flooding advice, see the Report a flood page.