Land Drainage Act 1991

The Land Drainage Act 1991 addresses NPTCBC and public responsibility in relation to land drainage.

Our responsibilities: 

• land drainage consent - if someone wants to alter a watercourse, they need permission from NPTCBC.
• watercourse diversion - we can change the flow path of watercourses to protect roads from flooding.
• we must keep watercourses and drainage systems clean and free from obstruction. 
• we can use pumps to manage water flow.
• we can build new drainage systems or fix old ones.
• we must monitor and maintain natural water flows. 

Enforcement:

We can ensure landowners keep their own watercourses in good condition. If a watercourse is not maintained well, we can issue a legal notice to maintain it.

1. First contact will be made either in person or in writing. This will advise the responsible individuals of their maintenance duties.
2. If maintenance is not carried out in a specific time frame, we will serve notice. In extreme scenarios we also have the right to serve legal notice immediately.
3. Individuals who refuse or ignore these notices will incur the costs of any repair works.

   we have the power to prosecute responsible individuals.

For more details, you can check your responsibilties via the NPTCBC drains and sewers guides.