Riparian Owners - Guidance Notes

The term “Riparian Owner” describes anyone who owns a property alongside a watercourse. Under common law they possess rights and responsibilities appertaining to the stretch of watercourse which falls within the boundaries of their property. Where a watercourse is situated across a boundary between adjoining properties, it is normally presumed that a riparian owner owns the land up to the centre-line of the watercourse, unless records exist to prove otherwise.

A riparian owner is responsible for: -

• Accepting water from the section of watercourse owned by their upstream neighbour and transferring this, together with drainage from their own property, to their neighbour downstream.
• Carrying out, at his or her own expense, any necessary maintenance of the watercourse to the satisfaction of the relevant Land Drainage Authority, which in the case of non-main rivers within Epping Forest District, is the Council.

A riparian owner is entitled to: -

• Protect his or her property against flooding.
• Prevent erosion of the banks of their watercourse.

However, before undertaking such work or other works to or within 8 metres of an existing non-main river watercourse, Land Drainage Consent is required by this Authority under: -

• The Land Drainage Act 1991 and 1994
• The Public Health Act 1936
• Epping Forest District Council Byelaws 1983

Application forms for these purposes can be obtained from: -

Epping Forest District Council
Head of Environmental Services
Civic Offices
Epping
Essex CM16 4BZ