Overview

As local government and other statutory bodies go through a process of continual change and restructure the challenge of land drainage problems and the environment increases.   Staff of organisations, including local authorities, internal drainage boards, developers, insurers etc., are asking, and being asked, to meet new challenges with changing weather patterns and increased public awareness of drainage issues.

Who should attend

The course is designed to give a practical understanding of drainage issues and responsibilities.  It is not designed to give definitive legal guidance but to indicate general responsibilities and the statutes under which they are founded.  It is not necessary, therefore, that course attendees should have a legal background. Typically they will be engineers, planners and policy staff working with land drainage authorities, developers and their agents, land managers, etc.  In fact any professional dealing with the day to day management and development of land with land drainage concerns.

Course objectives

To provide an overview of the current legislation relating to Land Drainage in England and Wales (please see Flood Risk Management in Scotland for Scottish responsibilities).   The general philosophy behind the course is to provide practical advice to delegates on the rights, powers and duties that ensue from case law, common law and legislation.

Topics covered

The course will draw on typical case studies and will look at issues such as:

• What are the powers and responsibilities for water level management?
• What are the changes resulting from the Flood and Water Management Act?
• Whose responsibility is it to maintain a water feature and to what extent?
• Is it a public sewer or a culverted watercourse or a highway drain?
• What consents and permissions are required for a new structure?
• What is the current land drainage law?
• What responsibilities do local councils, Environment Agency and Internal Drainage Boards have?
• Where can I find the answers?

Related courses

• Flood Risk Management in Scotland  
• Urban Flooding 
• Flood Risk Assessment
• Environmental Impact Assessment for Water Level Management
• Environmental Responsibilities of Land Drainage Authorities

Presenter

Ronald Watson DipCE CEng MICE CWEM MCIWEM 

Summary

• One day course
• Counts as 6 CPD/CET hours