Latest Update - October 2025

October 2025
  • Reports from the hazard classification research & development project are available on Defra Science Search website:
  • FD2739 - Developing a new hazard classification for Reservoir Safety in England and Wales - FD2739
    FD2742 - Evidence on costs and benefits of on-site emergency flood plans for reservoirs - FD2742
  • Watch the pre-recorded presentations about the research. This research has been used to inform policy proposals for the new system, bringing together the hazard classification, Reservoir Safety Management Plans and the reservoir engineer reforms.
  • We have analysed your feedback from Reservoir Safety Management Plan workshops and used it to develop policy proposals.
  • The Reservoir Incidents Knowledge Base is now live! This website holds reservoir safety incident case studies reported to the Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales as part of the post-incident reporting process. You can filter for case studies relevant to you and download the data. The website has been a collaborative project between the Environment Agency, Natural Resources Wales and the Institution of Civil Engineers.
  • We have published new guidance for owners on managing reservoirs in extreme weather. The guidance is for non-technical owners to highlight potential issues, mitigation of impacts and how to make sites more resilient.
  • Climate change is increasing the stress on reservoirs and their structures. The recent drought is a clear example of this. Ahead of the winter, you should sign up to flood warnings. These can be a useful indication of when to increase surveillance and be aware of increased risk of incidents occurring.
  • We will be holding a public consultation on proposed reservoir safety reforms soon - please keep an eye out for the link once it goes live. For further details, please see our Consultation Process document located under Important Consultation Information on the webpage.
  • Work over the past few months has been focused on completing all the development work and bringing it together to form proposals for an improved and integrated safety system.
Categories: Hazard classification, Consultation, Engagement
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