Who is responsible for the management of water courses?

Main River Channels

These are all the watercourses which are designated as 'main' by Defra (Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food). In the Borough of Melton this includes the River Eye, the River Wreake and the River Devon, Scalford Brook and Gaddesby Brook. The Environment Agency are responsible for managing these and all other 'main rivers' in Melton Borough. The Environment Agency has powers under the Water Resources Act 1991 to carry out maintenance and flood defence works on Main Rivers, to reduce the impact of flooding. The Agency also has powers of enforcement to ensure that riparian landowners keep any watercourses flowing through their land, clear of obstructions.

All Other Watercourses

All other watercourses are designated by Defra as Ordinary Watercourses. Melton Borough Council is responsible for maintaining watercourses that flow through Council owned land. The Council also has discretionary powers for land drainage matters and may require owners of ditches/culverts to maintain them. Permission is required before carrying out any works on water courses. Advice can be obtained from the Council and from the Environmental Agency (please click on the link below):

Link to The Environment Agency's Flood Defence Consents Page 

Foul and Surface Water Sewer Networks

Severn Trent Water are responsible for all public sewers and property owners can be responsible for private drainage. For more information, please visit the Flooding section of this website. You can also visit their website by clicking on the link below:

Link to Severn Trent Water's Website.