Working with landowners to keep rivers, streams, and ditches flowing
At ESCC, we work with landowners to inform them of what’s called riparian ownership. Riparian ownership is when there is a watercourse on, under, or next to your property. These watercourses include any natural or artificial channel, above or below ground, through which water flows. This can be a river, brook, ditch, gill, or stream, and may be piped or culverted in sections.
If you are a riparian owner, you are responsible for the maintenance of the watercourse. You must ensure it flows freely within the watercourse without obstructing.
If you intend to do work within or next to a watercourse, you may require consent from East Sussex County Council, the Environment Agency, or an Internal Drainage Board.
