Flood and Water Management Act 2010

3 “Risk management”

(1) “Risk management” means anything done for the purpose of—

(a) analysing a risk,

(b) assessing a risk,

(c) reducing a risk,

(d) reducing a component in the assessment of a risk,

(e) altering the balance of factors combined in assessing a risk, or

(f) otherwise taking action in respect of a risk or a factor relevant to the assessment of a risk (including action for the purpose of flood defence).

(2) In particular, risk management includes things done—

(a) that increase the probability of an event but reduce or alter its potential consequences, or

(b) that increase the probability of an event occurring at one time or in one place but reduce the probability of it occurring at another time or in another place.

(3) The following are examples of things that might be done in the course of flood or coastal erosion risk management—

(a) planning, erecting, maintaining, altering or removing buildings or other structures (including structures built or used for flood defence purposes),

(b) maintaining or restoring natural processes,

(c) reducing or increasing the level of water in a place (whether or not it results in a change to the water level in another place),

(d) carrying out work in respect of a river or other watercourse (such as taking things out of it or supporting or diverting the banks),

(e) moving things onto, off or around a beach, or carrying out other works in respect of the shoreline,

(f) using statutory or other powers to permit, require, restrict or prevent activities,

(g) making arrangements for financial or other support for action taken by persons in respect of a risk of, or in preparing to manage the consequences of, flooding or coastal erosion,

(h) making arrangements for forecasting and warning,

(i) preparing, gathering and disseminating maps, plans, surveys and other information, and

(j) providing education and giving guidance (including, for example, guidance on changes to land management).