What are my rights and responsibilities if I have land next to a watercourse?
As a riparian owner you have a right to:
- ownership of the land up to the centre of the watercourse (unless it is known to be owned by someone else)
- the flow of water onto your land in its natural quantity and quality
- protect your property from flooding, and land from erosion (subject to approval by the Environment Agency)
- fish in the watercourse. This right may be sold or leased, and a fisherman must have a valid Environment Agency rod licence.
- acquire accretion
- boomage
As a riparian owner you have a duty to:
- pass on the flow of water without obstruction, pollution or diversion affecting the rights of others
- accept flood flows, even if they are caused by inadequate capacity downstream. There is however, no duty to improve the drainage capacity of a watercourse.
- maintain the bed and banks of the watercourse and to clear any debris, whether natural or man-made
- keep any culverts, debris screens, weirs and mill gates clear of debris
- be responsible for protection of your land from flooding
- not cause any obstructions (either temporary or permanent) that would prevent the free passage of fish
For more information please email enquiries@witham3idb.gov.uk to request the owner’s leaflet.
The Environment Agency also provide guidance for waterside property owners-click here to view.
What do I need to consider if I want to build next to/in a watercourse?
Please visit the individual Board page (e.g. North East Lindsey or Upper Witham, from the homepage) to download the appropriate consent form and guidance notes, before returning the consent form to the office. Alternatively email enquiries@witham3idb.gov.uk to request these documents.
Additional information about drain outfall arrangements and outfall field marker posts can be found below:
Where can I find the Land Drainage Act (1991)?
Please click here to view a copy of the Land Drainage Act 1991.
Which organisations do IDBs work closely with?
IDBs work closely with many organisations, including local councils and the Enviornment Agency (many of whom are listed below).
The Flood and Water Management Act 2010 established upper-tier authorities, such as Lincolnshire County Council, as ‘Lead Local Flood Authorities’ giving them a new local leadership and co-ordination role in flood risk management. New duties include the management of surface water flooding, something that previously no organisation had specific responsibility for and was highlighted by Sir Michael Pitt in his 2008 report as a key issue.
The Act also established a national overview role for the Environment Agency, to make sure that as a nation we improve the way we approach reducing the risk of flooding, and responding to floods when they happen.
Flood risk management authorities in Lincolnshire have been recognised by Government as among those leading nationally in the development of partnership and co-ordination, through the creation of the development of the Lincolnshire Flood Risk and Drainage Management Partnership Framework.
For more information on partnership working in Lincolnshire, please click on the link below:
Why are IDBs so important to the UK?
Covering 1.2 million hectares of England (9.7% of the total land area) and 28,500 hectares of Wales (1.4% of the total land area), Internal Drainage Boards (IDBs) have a significant operational role within many day-to-day areas of modern life. The poster below (generated by ADA) shows a cross-section through a typical IDB and the aspects of lives and the environment they connect with.
Who do I contact in an emergency?
In a flood emergency:
Operations Director, Ian Coupland 07719 042680
Pump Foreman Adrian Skelton 07736 295397 for any issues at Pumping Stations for all 4 Boards.
