Your Responsibilities
What is a Riparian Owner?
A riparian owner is the owner of land on the banks of, or the bed of, a watercourse.
What are my Responsibilities as a Riparian Owner?
If you are the riparian owner you are responsible for the maintenance of the watercourse and any associated structures. You should keep the watercourse free from any obstructions that will affect the water flow.
Who is Responsible for Roadside Ditches?
The riparian owner is usually the owner of roadside ditches. Even if a ditch is outside of the property boundary ownership is remains with the adjacent landowner as riparian owner. It does not make any difference that the road drains into the ditch/watercourse.
There are exceptions to this rule which are when the Highway Authority has specifically constructed and maintained the ditch.
If you are in doubt about riparian ownership contact us or your District Council.
What Sewers am I Responsible for?
You are responsible for private sewers and these should be shown in your property deeds.
You are also responsible for the sewer that connects your property to the public sewer.
For further information contact Southern Water or Thames Water.
Who is responsible for culverts which run under or within the highway?
Hampshire County Council is responsible for culverts and most of the bridges over watercourses and rivers associated with the highway. There are exceptions where bridges are privately owned such as those managed by British Waterways.