Preparing for a flood and what to do in an event
As Internal Drainage Boards (IDBs) we are a local public authority that manages water levels. IDBs are part of managing flood risk and land drainage within areas of special drainage need within England and Wales. IDBs undertake work to reduce flood risk to people and property and manage water levels for local needs, with much of the day-to-day work maintaining rivers, drainage channels, outfalls and pumping stations, which are part of out District.
www.ada.org – IDBs and Introduction publication.
Not all watercourses are the responsibility of an IDB, and FAQs are provided below, along with an interactive map on the homepage to help signpost our community to the best organisation to help them if needed, to help you speak to the right organisation at the right time.
Did you know – During an adverse event, our small teams our working to ensure that the ordinary watercourses, which are within our District, and maintained by the Board, keep flowing to assist with evacuating the water away, ultimately to sea.
To help the water keep moving through our watercourses our teams work long hours to ensure that our watercourses are clear, that the weed screens aren’t blocked, that our assets are working and monitored. Our teams do everything they can, to keep the water flowing.
There are times that Water Management Authorities can’t evacuate the water fast enough – e.g. a main riverbank breaches and all the water from the main river inundates our systems, or when there is so much precipitation in such as short amount of time all watercourses, the ground and land in the area, as well as the highways and the gullies are inundated and can’t cope with the amount of water.
Some FAQs are provided to aid you in preparing for a changing climate, and what that could bring. We encourage people to investigate self-protection as climate change has the potential to affect seasons for years to come. Please find some links to partner agencies who have excellent flood resilience advice:
Lincolnshire Local Resilience Forum – emergency contacts
Lincolnshire Resilience Form – preparing for a flood
Lead Local Flood Authority (LCC) Report a Flood
Lead Local Flood Authority (LCC) Property flood resilience grant webpage information
Lead Local Flood Authority (LCC) Riparian Ownership watercourse map
Frequently Asked Questions
Internal Drainage Boards (IDBs) are public bodies that manage water levels in an area. The area managed is known as an internal drainage district, where there is a special need for drainage. IDBs undertake works to reduce flood risk to people and property and manage water levels for agricultural and environmental needs within their district.
- There are currently 112 IDBs in England and 11 in Lincolnshire. Use the interactive map on our website to locate your IDB.
- For more information on IDBs visit www.ada.org.uk
- For a video on IDBs ‘follow the link to YouTube video “keep the water flowing (2024)”
No, IDBs do not manage all watercourses or drainage systems.
Please use the FAQs to assist in locating the right organisation. If you can’t find what you are looking for please contact 01522 697 123 or email enquiries@witham3idb.gov.uk
Please note that the phone line and email are monitored during work hours Monday to Friday 8am to 4pm. If you call out of hours, we will respond the next working day.
Public Sewers and utility pipes
Water companies (e.g. Anglian Water) are responsible for managing the risk of flooding from public sewers and utility pipes. This includes shared sewer pipes where they meet between properties before joining the public sewer.
Highway gullies and drains
Highway roads, footpaths, drains and gullies are the responsibility of the local highway authority which is under Lincolnshire County Council. Note – Major roads and motorway drainage are the responsibility of Highways England.
Watercourse (riparian) ownership
You own a watercourse if it runs adjacent to, through or under your property. This includes both main rivers and ordinary watercourses such as streams, culverts, and ditches. You are responsible for maintaining the natural flow of water and reporting incidents such as blockages and flooding.
Main river and coastal flooding
The Environment Agency (EA) is responsible for managing the risk of main river and coastal flooding. Main rivers are those which are designated as such on the EA’s Main River Map.
To report incidents and flood risk issues, call the Incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60 (24/7). To sign up for flood warnings, call Flood line on 0345 988 1188 or log online at https://www.gov.uk/sign-up-for-flood-warnings.
Groundwater flooding
The Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) are responsible for managing the risk of groundwater flooding. This can occur when periods of prolonged rainfall cause the water table to rise and emerge in basements or above ground.
Surface water flooding
The Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) are responsible for managing the risk of surface water flooding. This can occur when the capacity of drainage systems on land or road is exceeded by heavy rainfall.
You own a watercourse if it runs adjacent to, through or under your property. This includes both main rivers and ordinary watercourses such as streams, culverts, and ditches. You are responsible for maintaining the natural flow of water and reporting incidents such as blockages and flooding. You are required to follow byelaws and would need to contact IDB as you may require consent to change the watercourse in any way?
The flood hub document – are you a riparian owner?
The Flood hub document – what is a riparian owner?
Environment Agency – Your Watercourse: righs and roles (www.gov/guidance/oning-a-watercourse)
Visit the relevant Board’s page – e.g. North East Lindsey, Upper Witham… and download and or complete the appropriate consent form for the Board you are looking to work in.
Alternatively email enquiries@witham3idb.gov.uk
Drain Outfall Arrangement (get a link) current link
Outfall field markers (get a link) current link
1 in 6 properties in England are at risk of flooding from rivers, sea and surface water, with many others susceptible to various sources of flooding. This number is likely to increase due to climate change, making the need for property owners to check your own risk and to consider protecting your property from risk of flooding.
To check your risk of flooding you can use the Government ‘Flood map for planning’
To access the flood map for planning, you can use this link.
Public Sewers and utility pipes
- If there is a blockage in the ‘private drains’ within the boundaries of a property, the property owner is responsible.
- If there is a blockage in the ‘public drain’ or due to significant rainfall entering the system water has backed up and come up via manholes and or internal toilets, Anglian Water is responsible and can be contacted on 03457 145 145 (water and sewerage queries or ‘reporting an issue’) use the Anglian Water ‘contact us’ as you can use QR codes, WhatsApp and email to contact.
Highway gullies and drains
Highway roads, footpaths, drains and gullies are the responsibility of the local highway authority which is under Lincolnshire County Council. Note – Major roads and motorway drainage are the responsibility of Highways England.
- Call The Lincolnshire County Council Customer Service Centre – 01522 782 082 to report the flooding, providing as much information as you can with location of the flooded part (W3W is a good tool).
- Email floodrisk@linconshire.gov.uk with as much information as you can. Note this email is monitored Monday – Friday during office hours.
- Alternatively, you can upload as many details as you have via “Fixmystreet”.
Riparian owned water courses
To report such incidents contact ???????
Main river and coastal flooding
The Environment Agency (EA) is responsible for managing the risk of main river and coastal flooding. Main rivers are those which are designated as such on the EA’s Main River Map.
- To report incidents and flood risk issues, call the Incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60 (24/7).
Groundwater flooding
Contact your local council. Groundwater flooding is caused by water rising-up through the ground.
Surface water flooding
The Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) are responsible for managing the risk of surface water flooding. This can occur when the capacity of drainage systems on land or road is exceeded by heavy rainfall.
- Call The Lincolnshire County Council Customer Service Centre – 01522 782 082 to report the flooding, providing as much information as you can with location of the flooded part (W3W is a good tool).
- Email floodrisk@linconshire.gov.uk with as much information as you can. Note this email is monitored Monday – Friday during office hours.
- Alternatively, you can upload as many details as you have via “Fixmystreet”.
Absolutely, if you can protect your home, and prevent flood waters from entering your home, it can help reduce or prevent damage as well as the upset and upheaval of repairs.
A great website with information on flood resilience is the flood hub. It has been produced in the Northwest by flood management authorities, but much of the information is general such as “This is the link to The Flood Hub and Flood Protection and Resilience measures available”
If you do any such works, speak with your Local Council as they may be able to advise on any Government funding, but don’t forget to liaise with your Insurance too to ensure they can provide information and guidance and provide any details whereby your premiums may be affected.
Lincolnshire Local Resilience Forum – this link will take you to the Lincs LRF resource for flood protection measures.
The flood Hub which is created within the North West but provides some amazing information on resistance and resilience. This link will take you to property flood resilience at the flood hub. Link to the flood hub taking you to products on the flood hub which may be considered for property flood resilience.
HM Government pages have a new prepare campaign, which offers a web-presence to support members of the public to prepare for emergencies. Use this link to go to gov.uk prepare which was launched 24 May 2024.
Further advice:
Link to how you can make your home more flood resilient
Sign up for flood warnings by phone, text or email
Visit .gov – sign up for flood warnings to set up your postcode and receive warnings
If you are not able to set this function you can call the Environment Agency Floodline on 0345 988 1188 .Gov – live flood alert map
If life is at risk call 999/112
- If property is flooded but there is no risk to life contact:
- Environment Agency National Flood Line – 0345 988 11 88
- Lincolnshire County Council Customer Services Centre – 01522 782 082
- Please note calls to these numbers may be busy during any flood event, try again or use alternative means to report.
- Fixmystreet App or via Fixmystreet on Lincolnshire County Council website.
- Email floodrisk@lincolnshire.gov.uk (email is monitored Monday – Friday during office hours)
- You will of course, need to notify your insurance company. If you have been flooded, to support your future insurance, you could work with them to discuss how adding property resilience may support the ongoing premiums.
If flood water, ground water or any other water is currently outside the main residence, and is in the garden, or affecting external buildings to the main property such as sheds, and outbuildings you can report this to the Lead Local Flood Authority by:
- Fixmystreet App or via Fixmystreet on Lincolnshire County Council website.
- Lincolnshire County Council Customer Service Centre – 01522 782 082
- Email floodrisk@lincolnshire.gov.uk (this email is monitored Monday – Friday during office hours)
Main rivers and coastal waters are the responsibility of the Environment Agency (EA).
- Contact the EA via National Flood Line – 0345 988 11 88
The Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) collate and report on all types of flooding, including that to agricultural land.
You should report your flooding to the LLFA if it meets the following criteria:
2 hectares or more of grade 3+ agricultural land is flooded for 2 days or more.
- Fixmystreet App or via Fixmystreet on Lincolnshire County Council website.
- Lincolnshire County Council Customer Service Centre – 01522 782 082
- Email floodrisk@lincolnshire.gov.uk (this email is monitored Monday – Friday during office hours)
Your local IDB is always interested in flooding when it is within their drainage districts. However, it is vital to report to the LLFA as IDBs do not have systems which link to multiagency planning during an event, nor are they able to record the information externally. Whereas under legislation, the LLFA are the appropriate organisation to collate and onward report into Government the extent of flooding, which supports the communities, and may assist with Central and Local Government decisions regarding grants or other financial support may be required. E.g. through DEFRA, Councils etc.
If its main river or coastal – you need to report to the Environment Agency – by calling their flood line number 0345 988 11 88.
If it’s an ordinary watercourse – If it is within the IDB district, it will be the IDB. However, if it is in the extended area or outside of any district/ extended area you will need to notify the Local Authority – e.g. North Kesteven, Lincoln City, East Lindsey etc. If you are unsure our map may assist, or if you call us we can confirm if it is our watercourse or the Local Authority.
If riparian owned – the riparian owner is responsible.
Public sewers and utility pipes are the responsibility of the water provider. In Lincolnshire, this is Anglian Water.
You can go to the “flooding in your home” page at Anglian Water with this link – https://www.anglianwater.co.uk/help-and-advice/flooding-guidance/flooding-in-your-home/ or call the Anglian Water 24 hour helpline on 03457 145 145
Anglian Water website recommends you notify your insurance once you have notified them.
Water and flood waters are potentially dangerous – just a few top tips!
- Flood water is very cold, even in the summer, and can be faster flowing that you think – and even at ankle depth it can knock you off your feet. In high-risk areas, the depth of water can increase rapidly.
- Flood water may contain debris that could trip you over, cut or injure you. As well as containing debris, flood water is ‘treated’ as being contaminated by Fire and Rescue Services, which include sewage, animal waste, E Coli, Shigella and agricultural and industrial waste.
- Do not drive through flood water – your vehicle may become trapped after driving through floods.
- Do not use flooded towpaths, paths and you should not walk, run or cycle where there is flood water.
- Do not walk on flooded river banks, as river banks can be quickly eroded by flood water and this may wash away previously safe paths. They may also be unstable after the flood waters have subsided.
- If your dog jumps or falls into the water, DO NOT attempt to go in as you may get into trouble. The best way to support is to get to a place on the bank that is easy to allow your dog to get out and call them to you. In many cases, dogs will get out themselves and the owners are in distress if they enter the waters.
- DO keep your dog on a lead.
- DO keep away from the flood waters as much as possible.