History

Reducing Flood Risk

Over the years the Board and its predecessors have continued with passion to improve and maintain the drainage systems, which has helped create the thriving local economy and environment we all enjoy today.

The Board and its predecessors have been very successful in reducing flood risk over the years. So successful in fact, that many people living and working in the area know nothing of the Water Level Management Board and the vital work that we do to help prevent flooding and drought, protect the environment and facilitate land use.

Measuring Success

Our success is inevitably measured by what does not happen rather than what does happen, which means that if flooding or drought does not occur frequently the value of what we do is sometimes questioned. But it is precisely because we continually maintain, improve and watch over the drainage system that we are actually able to reduce the risk of flooding and drought, protect the environment and facilitate land use.

Evolution

Great strides forward have been made over the years: the system of drainage which was based on an individual’s liability to repair a particular stretch of drain gave way to the small District centred on a particular drain or outfall. The coming of expensive machinery and modern methods resulted in their amalgamation into an organisation big enough to access the professional staff, machinery and equipment essential to efficient drainage but crucially, without losing the intimate contact with the land, which is at the very heart of good drainage and water level management.

The Future

With passion, foresight and common sense, we will be allowed to continue to evolve and help protect the people of Pevensey and Cuckmere, whatever the cost may be, for generations to come.

Legal Chronology

The Pevensey and Cuckmere Water Level Management Board Order 2016 (Statutory Instrument 2016 No.854). This Order constituted the Pevensey and Cuckmere Water Level Management Board in 2016 from an amalgamation of 2 Internal Drainage Districts, which were previously administered by the Environment Agency: the Pevensey Levels Internal Drainage District and the River Cuckmere Internal Drainage District.