Trying to find out who is responsible for different aspects of a watercourse or drainage system can be difficult. There are many different ways in which the systems which serve us are laid out, with different individuals and organisations being responsible for different parts. The information below can be used as a guide to help you find out who is responsible, and who you should contact, if a problem occurs with a watercourse or drainage system. Further information is available in our Local Flood Risk Management Strategy. A number of diagrams showing different scenarios are available to download from the related documents section of this page.

More information on the ownership of watercourses along with your rights and responsibilities as a riparian owner can be found in the Environment Agencies Your Watercourse: rights and responsibilities guidance document.