Frequently Asked Questions
- What should I do in the event of a flooding incident?
- My property has recently flooded, who do I contact to prevent this happening again?
- I contacted the Rivers Agency after my property flooded and was told that the watercourse was not designated and they were not responsible for the maintenance. What does this mean?
- My property was flooded because the watercourse in my neighbours land is blocked. Who do I contact to get this cleared?
- I want to carry out works but there is a nearby watercourse flowing through my land that will be affected, do I need approval before carrying out the work?
- How do I find out if my property is at risk of flooding?
- My property was recently flooded from the overtopping of a watercourse after several days of heavy rainfall. Who do I contact for compensation?
- Who do I contact to report pollution in a watercourse?
- Who do I contact to report dead animals in a watercourse?
- Who do I contact to report dumping/littering in a watercourse?
- Who do I contact to report vermin in a watercourse near my home?
- Where can I get information about marine life or fishing in a watercourse?
If the flooding is coming from an overflowing watercourse you should contact your local Rivers Agency office. If the flooding is coming from a burst watermain or blocked sewage system you should contact NI Water. If the flooding is coming from a blocked gully or road drain you should contact Roads Service. If you are in any doubt as to the source of the flooding you should contact Rivers Agency.
Related Links: Rivers Agency Flood Emergency pages, Contact details for Rivers Agency Offices, Contact details for NI Water, Contact details for Roads Service
2. My property has recently flooded from an overflowing watercourse, who do I contact to prevent this happening again?
Contact your local Rivers Agency office in writing. They will carry out an investigation to identify the cause of the flooding, and will aim to provide a substantive response within 15 working days.
Related link: Contact details for Rivers Agency Offices
3. I contacted the Rivers Agency after my property flooded and was told that the watercourse was not designated and they were not responsible for the maintenance. What does this mean?
Rivers Agency undertakes maintenance responsibilities on watercourses that are classed as designated; these are watercourses that have been approved for maintenance at public expense by the Drainage Council for Northern Ireland. All other watercourses are classed as non-designated and their maintenance is the responsibility of the riparian land owners.
Related Link: Drainage Council for Northern Ireland, Designation of Watercourses
4. My property was flooded because the watercourse in my neighbours land is blocked. Who do I contact to get this cleared?
You should write to your local Rivers Agency Area Office. They will confirm whether or not the watercourse in question has been designated for maintenance at public expense by the Drainage Council for Northern Ireland. If the watercourse is designated Rivers Agency staff will investigate the problem and take the necessary remedial action if appropriate. If the watercourse is undesignated the Rivers Agency has legislative powers to require the landowner(s) to remove any blockage and ensure the free flow of water.
Related link: Contact details for Rivers Agency Offices, Drainage Council for Northern Ireland, Designation of Watercourses
5. I want to carry out works but there is a nearby watercourse flowing through my land that will be affected, do I need approval before carrying out the work?
Yes. You need approval in writing from the Rivers Agency to undertake any works affecting the flow in a watercourse. You should write to your local Rivers Agency office requesting approval to carry out the required works and enclose a site location map and details of your proposal. Our consent is necessary to protect you and others from being adversely affected by flooding. Failure to obtain the necessary approval is an offence under the Drainage (Northern Ireland) Order 1973 and may lead to legal proceedings.
At present this service is not available online. Write to your local Rivers Agency office enclosing your full postal address. We will respond and provide you with any known history of flooding for that address.
Related Link: Contact details for Rivers Agency Offices
7. My property was recently flooded by an overflowing watercourse after several days of heavy rainfall. Who do I contact for compensation?
Rivers Agency is not liable for any damage caused by the overflowing of any watercourse. Contact your insurance company regarding compensation for any flooding event.
Water pollution is the responsibility of the Environment and Heritage Service (EHS). All incidents of water pollution should be reported to EHS as soon as possible via the pollution hotline number on 0800 80 70 60 or by emailing emergency-pollution@doeni.gov.uk
Related Link: Northern Ireland Environment Agency Homepage
In the event that the carcass is causing a blockage in the watercourse you should contact your local Rivers Agency office to report this. If the carcass is not causing a blockage you should contact the Environmental Health Section of your local District Council.
In the event that the refuse being dumped is causing a blockage in the watercourse you should contact your local Rivers Agency office to report this. If the refuse is not causing a blockage you should contact your local District Council.
You should contact your local District Council who are responsible for pest control.
Related Link: Northern Ireland District Councils
For information relating to marine life or details about where fishing is permitted / how to obtain the necessary licence etc to fish you should contact the Inland Fisheries Division of the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL).
Related Link: DCAL Inland Fisheries