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Flood and Water Management Act 2009-10

Type of Bill:
Government Bill
Sponsors:
Hilary Benn
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Lord Davies of Oldham
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Progress of the Bill

Bill started in the House of Commons

  1. House of Commons
    1. 1st reading
    2. 2nd reading
    3. Committee stage
    4. Report stage
    5. 3rd reading
  2. House of Lords
    1. 1st reading
    2. 2nd reading
    3. Committee stage
    4. Report stage
    5. 3rd reading
  3. Consideration of Amendments
  4. Royal Assent

Last events

Act of Parliament

House Act Date
Commons Flood and Water Management Act 2010 c.29 | PDF version, 285KB 09.04.2010

Latest news on the Bill

Following agreement by both Houses on the text of the Bill it received Royal Assent on 8 April. The Bill is now an Act of Parliament (law).

Summary of the Bill

The Bill responds to recent pressure to introduce legislation to address the threat of flooding and water scarcity, both of which are predicted to increase with climate change.

Key areas

  • requires the Environment Agency to create a National Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy, which a number of organisations will have to follow
  • requires leading local flood authorities to create local flood risk management strategies
  • enables the Environment Agency and local authorities more easily to carry out flood risk management works
  • introduces a more risk-based approach to reservoir management
  • changes the arrangements that would apply should a water company go into administration
  • enables water companies more easily to control non-essential uses of water, such as the use of hosepipes
  • enables water companies to offer concessions to community groups for surface water drainage charges
  • requires the use of sustainable drainage systems in certain new developments
  • introduces a mandatory building standard for sewers

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Related information

Guide to the passage of a Bill

Find out what happens at each stage of a Public Bill’s journey through Parliament with the Passage of a Bill guide.

When does a Bill become law?

Explanation of what happens after Bills have been passed, and when laws may change.

Human rights

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