Land Drainage

The City Council as Land Drainage Authority has a responsibility for natural drainage and has powers associated with the prevention, mitigation and remedying of flood damage. Powers exist to maintain and improve existing watercourses and to construct new works for the benefit of its area.

Many watercourses are the responsibility of land owners but the Council has powers to regulate and enforce duties on land owners. In general the Council works with landowners to maintain and improve watercourses.

We take responsibility for certain significant watercourses where it is to the general benefit of the area and builds and maintains flood defences. An example is the River Rea where significant works are undertaken.

The Environment Agency has direct responsibility for designated Main Rivers including the River Tame, Rea, Cole (to Formans Road), The Bourne, Bourne Brook, Wood Brook, part of Hatchford, Hawthorne and Hockley, Perry Plants and Warren Brooks and the Stonehouse Brook.

As Land Drainage Authority we are consulted on appropriate planning applications and contribute towards mitigating the effects of development on the general drainage in the area. The Council has a policy of introducing and encouraging sustainable drainage systems where appropriate and practicable.

The Council has a prepared Policy Statement on Flood Defence (attached below)

Land Owner Responsibilities

Various Departments own significant areas of land that contain watercourses, pools, reservoirs and other water features. Highways Drainage improve and maintain many of these on their behalf including the enhancement of the environment.

Reservoir Enforcement Authority

The Environmental Agency has a duty to maintain a register of large raised reservoirs including those in the Birmingham Area. It ensures that owners maintain their reservoirs in a safe condition in accordance with the Reservoirs Act. The Council owns thirteen large reservoirs and Highways Drainage ensures the safety of these reservoirs and undertakes any necessary works.

Lead Local Flood Authority

Under the provision of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010, Birmingham City Council is the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA), for its administrative area.

As LLFA we have produced a Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment (PFRA) in compliance with the European Union Floods Directive. The PFRA is attached below.

Highway Authority

Generally highways are drained by means of road gullies, comprising of a gully grating with a gully pot beneath, situated at the side of roads. These gullies take off the surface water from roads and also trap sediment. The road gullies are either connected to public surface water sewers that are the responsibility of Severn Trent Water Limited and drain to natural watercourses or in older developed areas connect to combined foul and surface water sewers that are also the responsibility of Severn Trent Water Limited. Only in a small number of cases does highway drainage connect directly to watercourses.

Improvements maybe made by installing more gullies as necessary and other methods of kerb drainage where appropriate.

For more information contact landdrainage@birmingham.gov.uk