Section 19 - Local authorities investigations
As part of the duties under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010, Lead Local Flood Authorities (LLFA) are required to investigate flooding incidents. Section 19 (S19) came into force in April 2011 and states that:
- On becoming aware of a flood in its area, a lead local flood authority must, to the extent that it considers it necessary or appropriate, investigate:
(a) which risk management authorities have relevant flood risk management functions, and
(b) whether each of those risk management authorities has exercised, or is proposing to exercise, those functions in response to the flood. - Where an authority carries out an investigation under subsection (1) it must:
(a) publish the results of its investigation, and
(b) notify any relevant risk management authorities.
The above Act does not compel the Lead Local Flood Authority to identify all the causes and parties responsible for the flooding. It only requires to identify the risk management authorities (RMAs) with relevant flood risk management functions. In most cases, investigations will uncover both criteria. Where it doesn't, the County will work with all parties to try and resolve the issues.
Not all floods will be investigated. The following preliminary triggers were established by the Surrey Flood Risk Partnership Board (SFRPB).
- A flood occurs and is present for some time with no known source.
- Ten or more properties in a catchment experience internal flooding. *
- A single property experiences repeat internal flooding within five years of the initial flooding.
- Ten or more commercial properties experience internal flooding or a single commercial property greater than 500m2 experiences internal flooding.
- One or more items of critical national infrastructure experience flooding.
- A transport link is impassable for a number of hours.
a. Two hours - Major rail link, Motorway, Trunk road, Surrey Priority Networks 1 and 2
b. Six hours – Minor rail link, Surrey Priority Network 3
c. Ten hours – Surrey Priority Networks 4a and 4b and all other locations
7. The SFRPB consider that an investigation is required. - The SFRPB consider that an investigation is required.
*Internal flooding refers to the habitable part of the dwelling and excludes garages, outhouses and gardens
^These criteria may be altered by the SFRPB if circumstances come to light requiring change.
Please note that these triggers are used as a guide only and do not compel the LLFA to complete a detailed Section 19 investigation. The LLFA may ultimately use its discretion to determine whether it is proportionate and appropriate to launch an investigation into a flood event. If the decision is taken to launch a Section 19 investigation, it will as a minimum consist of stating which RMAs had relevant risk management functions and whether each of those RMAs exercised, or proposes to exercise, those functions. Any additional information will be discretionary.
A "frequently asked questions" document has been produced to address the more common queries relating to S19 Flood Investigations.
S19 Flood investigation frequently asked questions (PDF)
Any other queries can be directed to: flooding.enquiries@surreycc.gov.uk
All completed S19 Flood Investigation reports, along with their supporting maps are available below:
Elmbridge
Winter 2013 to 2014 flood event
23 June 2016, Hengest Avenue flood event
Epsom and Ewell
Winter 2013 to 2014 flood event
- Epsom & Ewell Borough S19 Flood Investigation Report (PDF)
- Epsom & Ewell Borough S19 Sub Area Map (PDF)
July 2021 flood event
Guildford
Winter 2013 to 2014 flood event
Mole Valley
Winter 2013 to 2014 flood event
- Mole Valley District S19 Flood Investigation Report (PDF)
- Mole Valley District S19 Sub Area Map (PDF)
Reigate and Banstead
Winter 2013 to 2014 flood event
- Reigate and Banstead Borough S19 Flood Investigation Report(PDF)
- Reigate and Banstead Borough S19 Sub Area Map (PDF)
12 July 2021 Nork and Tattenhams flood event
- Nork and Tattenhams S19 Flooding Investigation Report (PDF)
- Annex A - Surface Water Flood Risk Map for Catchment 1 (PDF)
- Annex E - Surface Water Flood Risk Map for Catchment 2 (PDF)
- Annex I - Surface Water Flood Risk Map for Catchment 3 (PDF)
- Annex M - Surface Water Flood Risk for Catchment 4 (PDF)
Runnymede
Winter 2013 to 2014 flood event
Spelthorne
Winter 2013 to 2014 flood event
- Spelthorne Borough S19 Flood Investigation Report (PDF)
- Spelthorne Borough S19 Sub Area Map (PDF)
- River Ash - S19 Flood Investigation Report (PDF)
- River Ash - S19 Supporting Map (PDF)
January 2021
- Guildford Street, Staines S19 Flood Investigation Report (PDF)
- Milton Gardens, Stanwell S19 Flood Investigation Report (PDF)
Surrey Heath
Winter 2013 to 2014 flood event
- Surrey Heath Borough S19 Flood Investigation Report (PDF)
- Surrey Heath Borough S19 Sub Area Map (PDF)
Tandridge
Winter 2013 to 2014 flood event
- Tandridge District S19 Flood Investigation Report (PDF)
- Tandridge District S19 Sub Area Map (PDF)
- Caterham Bourne S19 Flood Investigation Report (PDF)
07 June 2016 flood event
- Caterham on the Hill S19 07 June 2016 Flood Investigation Report (PDF)
- Caterham on the Hill Surface Water Management Study (PDF) (Copyright permission for publication of document granted by Atkins to Surrey County Council on 16 November 2016. PDF File size 3.5mb - this is a large file).
