Flood risk management
Flood risk management
Effective from 1 April 2011, Southwark Council is the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010.
That means the Council coordinates the effort of various Flood Risk Management Authorities to manage flood risk from surface water, ground water and ordinary water courses.
We have undertaken Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment (PFRA) to help us develop a better understanding and prepare for surface water flooding, which occurs when heavy rainfall overwhelms the drainage capacity of the local area.
Flooding from main river bodies remain the responsibility of the Environmental Agency (EA) whilst Thames Water is responsible for flooding from pipes, sewers and reservoirs.
What is Flooding
Flooding is said to occur when land not normally covered by water becomes covered by water.
All roads have drainage features to take the water away from the road surface. Older roads may have less sophisticated drainage features.
When might a road or house become flooded or waterlogged?
- When the drainage features are not very well cleaned and maintained, and there is excess rainfall
- When there is exceptional rainfall
- When a road or house is in a low lying area and there is heavy rainfall
- When there are changes in 'run off' from adjacent fields
- When there is increased 'run off' from adjacent hard standing areas
- When a river overflows
- When a drain is blocked, for example by mud or heavy fall of leaves
- When there is a ruptured water main. The water company would be responsible for repairing the damage if this is the case
Protection against flooding
With the understanding of the surface water risks within the borough, we have developed a Surface Water Management Plan (SWMP).
We are currently working through the plan to help reduce the risks to our residents, businesses and the environment. We are also developing a Local Flood Risk Strategy (LFRS) which we will be consulting on in the near future.
In emergency situations the council will provide residents in affected areas sandbags, so they can protect their homes from flooding.
What you can do
If your home is at a high risk of flooding, for example you have had been flooded before, or you live near a watercourse, you can take steps to reduce the risk to yourself and your property or business. We recommend you get some sandbags from a builders' merchant in case of emergencies.
View The Environment Agency's flood guidance.
Who should I contact about flooding?
Flooding from public sewers
The water company own and manage the network of public foul and surface water sewers. The majority of public sewers are located in highways and Southwark has a copy of the sewer maps, which can be viewed at the Council Offices.
If you see a leak from a pipe in the road or footpath, please call Thames Water 0800 714 614.
Flooding from private sewers and drains
If your private drains or sewers are overflowing, you will need a drainage contractor to deal with any blockage. Go to your "Yellow Pages" and look up "Drain and Pipe Cleaning".
If you are don't know whether the blockage is in a public or private sewer, the water company should be able to tell you when they arrive. Then they will recharge you the cost of any work on the private sewers.
Flooding from the public highway
To report flooding from the public highway or a blocked road gullies or gratings, contact us on on 020 7525 2000 or fill in a street surface repair request.
Flooding from a burst water main
Thames Water is responsible for their supply up to and including the water stopcock. Please call Thames Water on 0800 714 614.
Flooding from a water service pipe or internal pipework
This is the responsibility of the homeowner or landlord, and would need the attention of a plumber.
Flooding from a main river
The main rivers are the responsibility of the Environment Agency, on 0845 933 3111. The Agency has a Floodline advice and information service that is a 24 hours, 0845 988 1188.
Check whether your area is at risk of flooding from the sea, rivers or reservoir failure.
Flooding from watercourses, other than main rivers
Watercourses, other than main rivers, are the responsibility of riparian owners.
You are a riparian owner if your property or land is on, or very near, a watercourse. Riparian owners have a duty to keep the watercourse clear of any obstruction to flow and the Council can serve legal notices on riparian owners to deal with obstructions.
Certain "strategic" watercourses, that are known to pose a high risk of property flooding if they become blocked, are checked and maintained by the Council's contractor on a regular basis.
