Overview

Your views count – have your say on Potentially Vulnerable Areas (PVAs) for Flood Risk Management in Scotland.

The consultation runs from 1 May to 31 July 2018, and we’d like your views.

What are Potentially Vulnerable Areas (PVAs)?

PVAs are where significant flood risk exists now or is likely to occur in the future. They are part of the National Flood Risk Assessment process, and help Scotland to understand and prioritise where work could benefit the most. They are a vital part of protecting people, properties, businesses, communities, infrastructure and our environment.

Since 2011, when PVAs were first identified, SEPA and our partners have been working hard to improve data and methods of flood risk assessment. As a result we now have new information. This has resulted in changes to the PVAs, which we want your opinion on, to check we’ve got it right.

For each PVA identified:

We will produce flood hazard and flood risk maps for the area;

We, in consultation, will set objectives and identify actions to address flood risk;

Local Flood Risk Management Plans will be produced by lead local authorities;

Scottish Water will undertake an assessment of the risk of flooding from the sewerage system.

Important information on PVAs

Not all parts of a PVA will be at risk of flooding. We use a catchment approach to set the boundaries. This means looking across whole river systems and coastal areas and using these natural boundaries.

There will be some people and places outside of proposed PVAs at risk of flooding. Not being included in a PVA does not mean that the risk of flooding is insignificant to the individual or that support will not be provided by flood risk authorities.

Scotland’s National Flood Risk Assessment (NFRA)

Scotland’s Potentially Vulnerable Areas are based on the NFRA, which is updated and published every six years. This provides a clear picture of past, current and future flood risk. It considers flooding from rivers, the sea and from surface water. SEPA will publish the second NFRA in December 2018. More information is available here: NFRA Methodology

Further information on some of the terms and processes used within the NFRA can be found in our Glossary and FAQs.