Each internal drainage board (IDB) is a public body that manage water levels in an area, known as an internal drainage district, where there is a special need for drainage. IDBs undertake works to reduce flood risk to people and property, and manage water levels for agricultural and environmental needs within their district.
Today, there are 112 IDBs in England whose districts cover 1.2 million hectares (9.7% England’s landmass). They play a key role in reducing flood risk to over 600,000 people and nearly 900,000 properties. They operate and maintain over 500 pumping stations, 22,000 km of watercourse, 175 automatic weed screen cleaners and numerous sluices and weirs.
This beautifully filmed 25-minute documentary tells you everything you want to know about what IDBs do, taking you through the various routine operations from desilting, cutting and flailing, to maintenance and improvements, to water management and flood risk mitigation. It also considers the future role of IDBs at a time when climate and rainfall patterns are changing. Download and use it freely at Board or Parish Council meetings, as part of new starters’ induction days, or simply to inform ratepayers about the important job IDBs do.
An introduction to IDBs | Wallchart of IDBs in England (Defra) | The value of your IDB 2017| IDB administrative boundaries GIS vector (data.gov.uk) | Infographics – IDBs in Figures
Drainage Districts in Wales and ScotlandBoth Wales and Scotland also have areas where watercourses and drainage infrastructure are collectively managed with the input of the local community. |