Guiding principles for managing drowning and water safety risks
Open water features such as ponds, lakes, rivers and drainage channels are increasingly common across housing developments and public spaces. While they enhance environments, they also introduce safety risks that require careful, proportionate management. This free whitepaper provides practical guidance to understanding and managing inland water risks. Developed from practical application across local authority and public sector environments.
What's included in this inland water safety whitepaper
- Key principles for managing inland water safety
- Balancing public access with effective risk management
- Practical proportionate control mesasures
- Case study: Reducing water-related risks in Durham City Council
Download the guidance
Inland Waterways Site Review
Organisations responsible for inland waterways carry a clear legal duty of care to manage risk where water is accessible to the public, residents, staff and contractors.
Public Open Space Plans & Site Review
Public open spaces that include water features, play, leisure or informal recreation present foreseeable safety risks.
Reviewing water safety in Bury
In 2025, RoSPA undertook an Inland Water Safety Review of 28 bodies of water, including streams, ponds and lakes, for Bury Council’s Park and Countryside service.
From national insight to local action: How RoSPA supports water safety across the UK
Greater Manchester Water Safety Strategic Partnership has worked with RoSPA to reduce drowning across the Greater Manchester region.