Each flood risk assessment is tailored to the individual requirements of a particular brief. A typical flood risk assessment would define flood risk from fluvial, surface water, groundwater and sewer sources. The assessment would be undertaken using available information from a range of sources: Environment Agency, Local Authority, relevant water company, site topographic survey, soil and geological maps.

Where a flood risk assessment is required for planning applications or BREEAM accreditation, the document would also include recommendations for managing surface water using Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS), in line with Environment Agency requirements and current best practice.