What we are responsible for

In Kent there are over 60,000 properties that are at risk of flooding from:

• coastal
• streams
• rivers.

With coastal areas like Romney Marshes, Dartford, and Gravesend being particularly vulnerable.

We also have over 20,000 properties that are at risk from surface water, especially in urban areas. Ordinary watercourses and groundwater can increase flood risks in some areas of Kent such as:

• the Low Weald
• North Kent Marshes
• Romney Marshes
• the North Downs.

As the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) for the county, we manage flood risks in Kent. We work with other risk management authorities, where we focus on local flood risks from:

• surface water
• groundwater
• ordinary watercourses.

Our responsibilities

Main rivers and ordinary watercourses

Flooding happens when rivers or ordinary watercourses overflow. This includes water in culverts. It occurs when the water exceeds the channel's capacity and spills over the banks.

The capacity of the watercourse maybe reduced by blockages and debris in the channel. There are two categories of watercourse:

1. a main river
2. an ordinary watercourse (includes streams drains and ditches).

The Environment Agency is responsible for main rivers. We are responsible for ordinary watercourses.

Surface water

Surface water forms when it rains a lot. This happens when the rainfall rate is higher than the rate at which water can drain into the ground or a drainage system. It creates a runoff, running down a hill and pooling at lower points.

We are responsible for any surface water flooding.

Responsibility of others

Coastal erosion

Coastal erosion happens when the the sea wears away the coastline. This can lead to the loss of land. Coast protection works are not the same as coastal flood defences. However, they can still help improve flood defences along a shoreline.

Your district council is responsible for coastal erosion.

Coastal flooding

Coastal flooding happens when high tides or storm surges hit the coast. This can overwhelm or break the flood defences.

The Environment Agency is responsible for coastal flooding.

Reservoirs

If water coming into a reservoir exceeds what it can release, it might overflow. Reservoir flooding is highly unlikely to happen.

Reservoirs are the responsibility of different authorities:

• The Environment Agency is responsible for regulation.
• The owner of the reservoir is responsible for managing the on-site risks.
• We and the Kent and Medway Resilience Forum are responsible for off-site emergency plans.

Sewer flooding (including foul sewers)

Sewer flooding may happen when the sewerage system fails due to blockages. Or the pipes are overwhelmed by surface water.

Your water company own and manage the network of public sewers for both foul and surface water across Kent. To report an overflowing public sewer, contact the water company directly.