The Kent Flood Risk and Water Management Committee met to discuss a range of issues concerning flood risk and water management across the county. Key topics included an update on severe weather response activities, a presentation on the Romney Marshes Flood and Climate Change Assessment, a report on KCC Highways and Transport road drainage, and an update from the Kent Flood Action Group Forum.

Severe Weather Response Activity

The committee received an update on Kent County Council's (KCC) severe weather response activities between January and March 2026. This period saw 75 flood alerts and warnings issued, alongside nine yellow weather alerts for rain, ice, wind, and snow. The Thames Barrier was closed on four occasions for testing and operational purposes. A significant water outage occurred between 6th and 19th January, affecting multiple districts across the county, including Tunbridge Wells, Maidstone, and Canterbury. KCC declared a Major Incident, leading the response efforts and establishing dedicated cells for media, communications, and vulnerable people. Further water outages were reported in February affecting areas around Staplehurst and Cranbrook. The committee was urged to note these warnings and contribute to future planning and policy through oversight and debate.

Romney Marshes Flood and Climate Change Assessment

A presentation was given on the Romney Marsh Flood and Climate Change Impact Assessment, a study aimed at improving the understanding of flood risks in the low-lying reclaimed wetland area. The assessment, which is being conducted in phases, will provide high-level options for future management and investment to protect the area from increased flood risk due to climate change, including sea level rise and more frequent tidal locking of outfalls. Phase 1 involved collecting and reviewing existing data, while Phase 2 will focus on modelling hydraulic interactions between watercourses, pumps, and outfalls. Funding for the project has been secured through the Southern Region Flood and Coastal Committee Local Levy Funding, with contributions sought from Southern Water, Folkestone and Hyde District Council, and the Internal Drainage Board. The study will inform Phase 3, which will assess potential management options and innovative solutions.

KCC Highways and Transport Road Drainage

Carol Valentine, Highways Asset Drainage Manager, presented an overview of the drainage team's responsibilities, workload, and approach to asset management. The team manages approximately 225,000 to 250,000 drains, 250 ponds and lagoons, 15 pumping station locations, and 8,500 soakaways. The team receives around 8,000 inquiries annually, with a high workload influenced by weather conditions. Challenges include damaged and aging infrastructure, limited capacity, third-party infrastructure, and land drainage issues. The team employs a data-driven approach to asset management, identifying hotspots and planning strategic works. Cyclical maintenance involves cleaning drains on a risk-based schedule, with a new contractor aiming to reduce the cleaning cycle for minor roads from three years to two. Reactive maintenance addresses urgent issues posing risks to property or highway users. The presentation also detailed planned works for the future, including a programme for ponds and lagoons, mainline cleansing, and hotspot mapping.

Kent Flood Action Group Forum Update

David Gough, Chairman of the Kent Flood Action Group Forum, provided an update on the work of volunteer-led flood action groups across Kent. These groups raise awareness, monitor conditions, coordinate community activities, support vulnerable residents, and lobby for improvements. Gough highlighted challenges such as riparian ownership issues, development on floodplains, changing agricultural practices, and the need for river maintenance. He stressed the importance of collaboration between communities, agencies, and local authorities to address flood risk effectively. The National Flood Forum, which supports these groups, has a contract with KCC until March 2028. Gough also discussed the impact of flooding on residents, including concerns about insurance, property values, and health, and emphasised the need for proactive measures in the face of changing weather patterns.

Water Supply Issues and Committee Focus

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussions surrounding water supply issues in Kent, with several councillors expressing frustration at the perceived lack of focus on this topic by the committee. Councillor Hood argued that the committee's agenda was incredibly thin and that the absence of water companies was disappointing. Councillor Rayner stated that the committee's failure to address the freshwater supply situation had awful optics for the public.

The Chair, Mr. W Chapman, clarified that the committee's primary focus remained on its statutory flood risk management responsibilities, including water quality within watercourses and seawaters. He explained that updates on water supply would be addressed through the newly established Kent Water Resilience Partnership, chaired by the Kent County Council leader, Lyndon Ken-Carran, which brings together water companies, local authorities, and regulators. He noted that Southern Water and South East Water had been invited to attend later in the year.

Despite this clarification, concerns persisted. Councillor Yates highlighted the situation in Thanet, where residents on the Priority Services Register received 12 litres of water each during recent outages, and questioned how close the area had come to running out of water. Councillor Soule raised concerns about groundwater flooding in the Nailbourne Valley and the use of tankers to remove wastewater, questioning the long-term solutions. Councillor Connell discussed the interface between county and district councils in emergency water response and the need for clearer protocols.

The committee also heard from Councillor Ford about persistent flooding issues on Church Street, Loose, which had affected residents for over 25 years. Ms. Valentine from Highways Drainage acknowledged the complexity of the situation and agreed to meet with Councillor Ford to discuss potential solutions.

The discussion on water supply and management was extensive, with various councillors raising specific local issues and concerns about the effectiveness of current responses and the need for greater transparency and action from water companies.