Flood Risk Management
Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009
We work closely with other organisations under the FRM Act, which supports a risk based, evidence led and collaborative approach to managing flood risks across Scotland. Our duties under the Act include:
- understanding the risk of flooding from the sewer network
- working
with partners to understand the interaction of river, surface water and sewer
networks in some of the most complex catchments in Scotland
This will provide a shared understanding of the underlying causes and mechanisms of flooding.
Local Authorities
Local Authorities are responsible for managing flooding from rivers, the sea and surface water caused by severe rainfall. It is the responsibility of local authorities to implement and maintain flood protection actions set out in the local flood risk management plans. Local authorities also inspect, clear and repair watercourses to reduce flood risk and manage the drainage of road gullies on public roads and highways.
Each local authority will have a different plan for providing assistance during and after flood events. Information on the service provided by your local authority will be available via the local authority website.
Scottish Water support local authorities by sharing our knowledge of the sewer network, to help improve the understanding of the risk of flooding from surface water. This information is used to support the local authority’s Surface Water Management Plans, which are required in areas which have been identified to be at significant risk of surface water flooding under the Flood Risk Management Act.
Flood Risk Management Strategies
The first Flood Risk Management Strategies were launched in 2015. These co-ordinated national plans bring together the organisations at the forefront of flood risk management and set a framework for how flooding will be managed. The Flood Risk Management Strategies will be updated on a six yearly cycle, with the second Flood Risk Management Strategies to be published by SEPA in December 2021.
For more information on Flood Risk Management Strategies and Local Flood Risk Management Plans visit SEPA FRM Strategies.
SEPA
SEPA is responsible for national flood forecasting, providing a national flood warning service and leading strategic flood risk management. Advice and further information can be found on their website.
Flood Maps
SEPA publish flood maps under the Flood Risk Management Act which are designed to help you understand how you could be affected by flooding. These maps show areas which are likely to flood from rivers, the sea and surface water.
You can view these maps here.
