Guidance

Water supply reservoirs: their role in flood risk management

Published 28 March 2023

Applies to England

© Crown copyright 2023

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1. Overview

The Environment Agency has developed an operating framework for water supply reservoirs and flood risk management. This framework will:

  • help decide which water supply reservoirs can provide flood risk management benefits
  • enable consistent local decision making

We have designed this framework to support engagement between the:

  • Environment Agency
  • water companies
  • other partners, including local communities and wider interest groups

Each reservoir has a primary purpose. The framework ensures that, where possible:

  • integrated decision-making leads to many benefits
  • it aligns with adaptive planning principles

2. Water resources planning and flood risk management appraisal

The alignment between water resources planning and flood risk management appraisal principles is critical. Outcomes need to be:

  • practical
  • deliverable
  • compliant

They must also:

  • meet environmental objectives and obligations
  • support clear communication with local stakeholders and interested parties
  • reflect wider challenges - such as the impacts of climate change and managing water in an integrated way

3. Local engagement and decision making

Local engagement will inform decision making, and enable a clear understanding of the following factors:

  • technical
  • environmental
  • social and economic

Decisions will take account of the water management needs within catchments. Any actions should remain flexible to meet competing future and existing needs. This framework supports innovative and adaptive approaches to flood risk management.

This will enable a more integrated approach to managing water issues. However, it must ensure that adverse outcomes, such as reducing the security of water supplies does not take place.

4. Applying the framework

This framework can be applied to:

  • existing operational assets
  • assets identified for decommissioning
  • new assets and associated infrastructure
  • impounding and pumped storage assets

It should be used in conjunction with these existing tools and guidance:

Water resources planning guideline

Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) appraisal guidance

5. Key phases within the framework

There are 5 key phases within the framework:

  1. pre-feasibility

  2. feasibility studies

  3. impact assessments

  4. detailed studies

  5. establishing agreements/arrangements and implementation

6. Request a copy of the main framework

To request a copy of the main framework email mbxMultibenefit.Reservoirs@environment-agency.gov.uk

The framework provides more information on how to apply it to your work.

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