11: Working with SEPA to manage water flow on farm

In this podcast we discuss with Alasdair Matheson and Graeme Henderson from SEPA, and Peter Lindsay, from SAC Consulting, how land managers can work with SEPA to manage water flow on farm. Focusing on what farmers can do with regard to ditches, drainage and dredging on farm we discuss the rules and guidelines which must be followed. Through our discussion we focus on the management actions, which can be done without involvement from SEPA, to complex licensing process.

Supporting information:

SEPA have produced a Dredging webpage where you will find all legislation and guidance: https://www.sepa.org.uk/regulations/water/engineering/dredging/ 

On this page you will also find a Land Managers Guide

Farming Water Scotland have many resources on managing field ditches and drains, which can be accessed here: https://www.farmingandwaterscotland.org/managing-water-on-your-farm/field-ditches-and-drains/

All regulations and authorisation procedures for carrying our any activity which may affect Scotland’s’ water environment can be found on SEPA’ website here https://www.sepa.org.uk/regulations/water/ this page includes a link to the CAR Practical Guide mentioned in this podcast. 

Please contact SEPA to discuss any water management project via their email: [e-mail] or please call 03000 99 66 99.

For details on sniffers flood risk management conference please click here. 

Farming Water Scotland have great resources on managing water on your farm using natural flood management techniques, for further information please visit here. 

The Farm Advisory Service has produced a vast amount of material to help manage water on farm, a selection of materials are below:

3D Buffer Zones https://www.fas.scot/article/3d-buffer-zones/

Woodland creation https://www.fas.scot/crops-soils/farm-woodlands/woodland-creation/

Water management https://www.fas.scot/environment/water-management/