The Environment Agency is proposing to transfer flood risk management activities on a number of stretches of watercourses to internal drainage boards (IDBs), lead local flood authorities (LLFAs) and district councils.
The Agency said the plans would mean that IDBs, LLFAs and district councils can take on more responsibility for their local flood risk where appropriate. The Environment Agency has been working with a number of IDBs, LLFAs and district councils to consider proposals to re-designate sections of watercourses in a number of locations. The watercourses will be re-designated from main river to ordinary watercourse - known as de-maining.
The Environment Agency proposes to transfer flood risk management activities on the following sections of river and assets from the Environment Agency to the IDBs, LLFAs and district councils listed below.
Suffolk Rivers, Suffolk - 3 stretches of low risk watercourse (approximately 22.4 km) are proposed for de-maining to East Suffolk Internal Drainage Board and Suffolk County Council (some flood risk management activities will transfer to Suffolk Coastal District Council and Waveney District Council)
South Forty Foot, South Lincolnshire - 5 stretches of low risk watercourse, all tributaries of South Forty Foot Drain (approximately 16.8 km) are proposed for de-maining to Black Sluice Internal Drainage Board
Stour Marshes, East Kent - 10 stretches of low risk watercourse across Stour Marshes, (approximately 36.7km) are proposed for de-maining to the River Stour (Kent) Internal Drainage Board
The Agency said it will only implement the proposals where the organisations concerned have the appropriate skills and governance arrangements in place to do so and the local community supports the change.
The consultation, which will open on 15th January 2018 and close on 12th February 2018, will set out the Agency’s proposals, in detail, including information about how the proposed sections of watercourses are currently managed and funded. The consultation also provides details on future management and funding if de-maining goes ahead.
The consultation will be available on the following link from 15th January 2018.
With the UK government demanding a 50% reduction in storm overflow spills by 2029, the era of reactive management is over. Speaking in the House of Commons on 21 July 2025, then environment secretary Steve Reed said, “This Government will cut water companies’ sewage pollution in half by the end of the decade.”
ERG, the leading supplier of odour control systems and industrial gas cleaning & thermal systems, has been awarded the coveted King’s Award for Enterprise.
Welsh Water’s new artificial intelligence-driven tool, ORAI, has been shortlisted for three categories at the prestigious British Data Awards 2026 – underscoring the company’s commitment to using cutting-edge technology to deliver better outcome for customers.
Barhale has completed work on two separate Rapid Action Taskforce Spills projects it is carrying out for Severn Trent.
Hear how Scottish Water has completed its £235 million Ayrshire Glasgow Resilience Project - customers across Greater Glasgow, Ayrshire and East Renfrewshire will now benefit from a more secure and resilient water supply.
Hear how United Utilities is accelerating its investment to reduce spills from storm overflows across the Northwest.
Find out more about the remarkable career opportunities on offer at WSP - scroll down to watch the inspirational video.