Reducing flood risk

Flood risk management is a complex issue and although risk management authorities work together to reduce flood risk, it often requires individual landowners to also do their part to help themselves and others to manage the flow of water

A riparian owner is the owner of land that is next to a watercourse or has a watercourse running through or beneath it. A riparian owner has responsibilities for maintaining watercourses on or adjacent to their land, to help reduce flood risk to their own and surrounding land.

Practical guidance for the public on reducing the risks and impacts of flooding is available below from the Lead Local Flood Authority (Hampshire County Council), the Government and other groups.

Hampshire County Council guidance

• Video - Riparian responsibility
• Flood risk management guidance for riparian owners
• Printable Poster – maintenance of watercourses (riparian responsibilities)
• Advice on sandbags
• Highway drainage and unregistered land
• Guide to working on ordinary watercourses
• Understand who is responsible for maintaining watercourses
• Learn about the different types of flooding and who to contact
• Learn about how to protect and prepare your property for a flood event

Government and the Environment Agency guidance

• Flood risk maps
• Sign up for flood warnings
• Responsibilities and rules to follow for watercourses on or near your property
• Sandbags and how to use them properly for flood protection
• Practical advice to help you reduce the impact of flooding from groundwater

Other groups

• Public Health England (Flooding advice for the public leaflet)
• Know Your Flood Risk (Homeowners Guide to Flood Resilience document)
• National Flood Forum - national charity supporting communities and individuals at risk of flooding
• Flood Re - affordable and available home insurance