The Act – Section by Section Part 5 – Sepa: Other Flood Risk Management Functions Section 75 – Assessment of whether flood warning systems should be provided or altered
211.This section makes provision for SEPA to assess where provision of or improvements to any form of flood warning system could assist in providing earlier or more accurate flood warning information and where that earlier warning or improved accuracy could help reduce the adverse consequences of flooding. SEPA may choose to carry out such an assessment at any time and must do so when directed by the Scottish Ministers
212.“Flood warning system” is defined in subsection (4). The definition is similar to the one used in section 92(2)(a) of the Agriculture Act 1970, which is repealed for Scotland by paragraph 2 of schedule 3. The definition covers flood warning systems which rely on information from gauges and other monitoring equipment in rivers, coastal waters and other bodies of water and flood warning systems which rely on meteorological data and modelling software.
213.Subsection (2) requires SEPA to use information it has in making this assessment and subsection (3) and section 77(1) require SEPA to consult the relevant local authorities and chief constables in making its assessments.