Local flood risk management

We have a responsibility as the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) to manage local flood risk in a coordinated way, by developing a local flood risk management strategy for South Gloucestershire.  

Local flood risk 

Local flood risk is defined as the risk of flooding from local sources which includes: 

• surface water 
• ground water 
• ordinary watercourses 

Our what is local flood risk document details the main sources of local flooding in South Gloucestershire. 

Our responsibility  

Our role as LLFA involves:  

• assessing the risk of flooding from local sources across South Gloucestershire    
• working with organisations responsible for water management across the county  

This means we can bring people and resources together more effectively to reduce the likelihood of flooding happening and provide the best possible help when it does happen. 

Our Lead Local Flood Authority about us document sets out our responsibilities as LLFA and the background legislation to this role. 

Roles and responsibilities 

There is no single body responsible for managing flood risk in the UK. 

Our roles and responsibilities document details the responsibilities of all the main agents involved in managing flood risk such as the following:  

• the government  
• Environment Agency 
• National highways 
• other LLFAs  
• internal drainage boards   
• water and sewerage companies  
• riparian owners  
• town and parish councils  
• communities 

Riparian ownership  

A riparian owner is someone who has a watercourse within or next to a boundary of your land.   

It is presumed you own up to the centre of the watercourse unless it is known to be owned by someone else.  

If you are a riparian owner you have certain rights but you are also legally obliged to fulfil certain responsibilities to help manage flood risk and to protect the environment.  

Our riparian ownership document covers:   

• the rights and responsibilities of riparian owners   
• sets out common problems affecting watercourses   
• what you must do before starting any work to watercourses 

Local Flood Risk Management Strategy

We have recently published our updated Local Flood Risk Management Strategy document covering the period 2022 to 2027. The strategy has been produced in line with the Flood and Water Management Act 2010.

The following links can be used to access a copy of the new strategy and associated documentation along with a non-technical summary report.

• Local Flood Risk Management Strategy
• summary report
• catchment identifier map
• priority catchment map
• district wide action plan
• priority catchments action plans
• strategic environmental assessment

Assets register 

We have a responsibility under section 21 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 to maintain a record of all assets anticipated to have an effect on flood risk in the county.

Read more information about our asset register.

You can find our flood risk asset register and other flood related layers on our online flood risk map.