How we are funded.
Our funding comes from two primary sources alongside a number of external funding avenues.
Drainage Rates from Agricultural Landowners
We levy a Drainage Rate on landowners within our district, primarily targeting agricultural land.
This rate is based on the rateable value of agricultural land and properties, ensuring that land that benefits from drainage improvements contributes to its ongoing management. These funds are used to:
- Maintain and improve drainage systems.
- Ensure water levels are managed effectively.
- Prevent flooding within our district.
Special Levies on Local Authorities
For non-agricultural land and developed areas, we raise funds through Special Levies on local councils, such as district and borough authorities.
These levies ensure that built-up areas benefit from the same drainage and flood management services as rural, agricultural land. The special levies we collect contribute significantly to our annual budget and help us:
- Maintain watercourses that protect properties and infrastructure.
- Respond to flood risks in urban areas.
Both funding streams are critical to ensuring the NKMWLMB can operate efficiently and maintain the infrastructure needed to manage water levels and flood risks.
External funding
As a Risk Management Authority (RMA), Internal Drainage Boards have access to several external funding sources that support flood risk and water level management.
Managed by the Environment Agency, the Flood Defence Grant in Aid provides funding for flood risk management projects. IDBs can apply for FDGiA to help finance:
- Flood risk reduction schemes.
- Infrastructure improvements and upgrades.
- Projects that benefit public safety and environmental protection.
The Local Levy is raised by the Regional Flood and Coastal Committees (RFCCs). It is used to support flood risk management projects that may not be eligible for full FDGiA funding. This levy is particularly useful for funding local priority projects and smaller flood risk mitigation schemes.
The Partnership Funding Model allows IDBs to combine their own funding with external contributions from public or private stakeholders. This approach helps finance larger projects and encourages collaboration between IDBs, local councils, private businesses, and landowners to manage flood risk.
Highland Water Contribution refers to payments made by the Environment Agency to IDBs. This contribution covers the costs of managing water that originates from higher ground (outside the IDB’s drainage district) and flows into low-lying areas managed by the IDB.
By compensating IDBs for handling this additional water, the Highland Water Contribution ensures that drainage systems and flood defences are maintained effectively to protect both the local and wider catchments.
In some cases, IDBs work with developers or landowners who benefit directly from drainage improvements. Private sector contributions are often negotiated as part of planning and development agreements, particularly when drainage improvements are essential for development viability.
In addition to our core funding streams and established external sources, the North Kent Marshes Water Level Management Board (NKMWLMB) is always on the lookout for new funding opportunities to support and enhance our work. As a forward-thinking Internal Drainage Board, we regularly explore diverse funding sources, including grants and one-off funding programs that align with our goals of water management, environmental protection, and flood risk reduction.