The Government Department of Environment, Flood and Rural Affairs are the policy lead for flood risk and coastal erosion in England.
These policies are then undertaken by the relevant Risk Management Authorities. Risk Management Authorities are authorities or bodies that are responsible for the management of different risks across different areas. For flood risk management, several Risk Management Authorities are responsible for different types or sources of flood risk and the associated management of these sources. Risk Management Authorities work in partnership and exchange information to reduce flood risks.
The Environment Agency oversee flooding on watercourses designated as ‘Main Rivers’, have oversight of certain reservoirs, and have a strategic overview of all sources of flooding. The Environment Agency also work in partnership with the Meteorological Office to provide forecasting and warnings for flooding from main rivers.
Under the Royal Assent of the Flood and Water Management Act (2010), the relevant Lead Local Flood Authority for the area oversees flooding from ordinary watercourses, surface water and groundwater. These Lead Local Flood Authorities are County Council or unitary authorities. Other responsibilities include investigating significant local flood incidents that reach the specific Lead Local Flood Authority requirements to be ‘necessary or appropriate to investigate’. This generally does not include flooding of garages, gardens and highways. Lead Local Flood Authorities also oversee groundwater flooding.
Homeowners are responsible for their own personal flood risks and private drainage features or infrastructure. Although Risk Management Authorities cooperate and oversee flood risk management for different sources of flood risk, generally there is no right to be protected from flooding (unless in the case of a legal exception, for example nuisance from civil cases). Homeowners are responsible for their own properties and reducing their own flood risk. Homeowners are also responsible for any private drainage infrastructure located on their properties, serving only their property. It is therefore important to be aware of your flood risk and take measures to reduce the risk where appropriate.