Business Details
Emergency
services
Expert Drainage Management in East Sussex
Established to safeguard agricultural land and manage water resources, Romney Marshes Area Internal Drainage Board (RMAIDB) operates as a ratepayer-funded local authority. Our primary focus lies in maintaining approximately 350km of watercourses across Kent and East Sussex, ensuring effective land drainage and flood prevention. Through the amalgamation of historic drainage boards, we combine traditional practices with modern techniques to protect low-lying areas from tidal flooding. Our work involves vegetation management, silt removal, and water level regulation using both mechanical and manual methods. We collaborate with riparian owners and environmental agencies to balance agricultural needs with ecological conservation.With board member meetings held thrice yearly, our governance structure reflects statutory requirements under the Land Drainage Act 1991. Our team employs seasonal strategies to minimize ecological disruption while maintaining drainage efficiency. We provide public information through area maps and policy statements, ensuring transparency in our operations. Our emergency response system operates outside standard hours to address critical drainage issues promptly. As stewards of this unique landscape, we maintain centuries-old water management traditions while adapting to contemporary environmental challenges.
Services
Watercourse Maintenance
Land Drainage
Flood Prevention
Environmental Conservation
Consent Management
Highlights and features
- We manage 350km of watercourses with expert maintenance programs
- Our team maintains century-old water management traditions
- We operate under statutory governance frameworks
- Our seasonal strategies minimize ecological disruption
- Emergency response available outside standard hours
Services
Watercourse Maintenance
We maintain 350km of watercourses through annual vegetation clearance and targeted desilting operations. Our mechanical weed-cutting and manual brushing techniques ensure unobstructed water flow while protecting nesting birds. Contractors assist with seasonal maintenance programs to prepare for winter rains.
Land Drainage
Our drainage systems protect low-lying agricultural land below mean high tide levels. We regulate water levels using stop boards and sluices to balance irrigation needs with flood prevention. This critical infrastructure safeguards grade 1 arable land across multiple electoral districts.
Environmental Conservation
We implement conservation strategies that balance agricultural requirements with wildlife protection. Seasonal maintenance schedules allow nesting birds to complete breeding cycles. Our water level management supports wet fencing for livestock while maintaining ecological habitats.
Consent Management
We enforce Section 23 of the Land Drainage Act 1991 requiring written consent for watercourse alterations. Our regulatory framework prevents obstructions that could cause upstream flooding or downstream drought conditions. We provide guidance on legal compliance for riparian owners.
Emergency Response
We operate an out-of-hours emergency service for critical drainage issues. Two dedicated contact numbers ensure rapid response to flood risks or infrastructure failures. Our emergency protocols prioritise immediate threats to property and agricultural land.
People
Rob Monje
Acting Clerk/Engineer
Rob Monje oversees drainage operations and board management as Acting Clerk/Engineer. He coordinates maintenance programs and ensures compliance with statutory requirements under the Land Drainage Act 1991.
Questions
What is your primary area of operation?
We manage drainage across 33,000 hectares in Kent and East Sussex between Hythe, Tenterden, Heathfield and Pett.
How do you maintain watercourses?
We use mechanical weed-cutting baskets and manual brushing for vegetation control, with desilting performed as needed.
What emergency services do you provide?
Our out-of-hours emergency service operates via 07739 684404 or 07803 627421 for urgent drainage issues.
How are water levels managed?
We use stop boards and sluices to regulate water levels, balancing agricultural needs with flood prevention.
What consents are required for watercourse work?
Written consent from our board is required for any watercourse alterations under Section 23 of the Land Drainage Act 1991.
