Flood Risk Management

In this section

  1. About Flood Risk Management
  2. Flooding and wet weather – how to prepare for storm season
  3. Flooding roles and responsibilities
  4. Flood Investigations - report a flood
  5. Information for Developers and Planners
  6. Applying for land drainage consent
  7. Register of structures and features

Flooding roles and responsibilities

Everybody has a responsibility for manging the risk of flooding. While the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 set out the role of key organisations, landowners and residents also have an important part to play in helping reduce the risk and impact of flooding. 

These organisations are known as Risk Management Authorities (RMAs). Some of them are listed below.

Who is responsible?

Lead Local Flood Authority (Stoke-on-Trent City Council)

Responsible for managing flooding from: Surface water, Ordinary Watercourses (streams, ditches, culverts), Groundwater.

Highway Authority (Stoke-on-Trent City Council)

Responsible for managing highway drainage and flooding on the highway, as a result of a blocked drain or gully.

Environment Agency

Responsible for manging flooding from main rivers and reservoirs.

Water Company

Responsible for surface water and foul sewer flooding, and bust water mains. Severn Trent are the only water company within Stoke-on-Trent City Council at this moment in time.

Landowner (Riparian Owner)

If a river, ditch, and/or watercourse is located on or next to your property, you are classed as the “riparian landowner” and have a responsibility to maintain the watercourse within your land.

Further guidance for riparian landowners can be found on the government website:

Owning a watercourse

Home and business owners

Responsible for safeguarding your property from flooding, this could include installing Property Flood Resilience (PFR) measures where appropriate.

Manging private drainage systems up to the boundary of the property. If you are considering installing flood prevention measures or developing a flood action plan, please contact the Lead Local Flood Authority for support.

Reporting a flood

If there is an immediate risk to life or property, contact the emergency services on 999. 

For non-emergency flooding, you can report the issue using the link below. Providing as much information as possible, including the location, extent of the flooding and any photographs, will help us investigate:

Reporting a Flood