An '''operating authority''' is a body empowered under the Land Drainage Act 1991<ref>[{{cite web | url=http://www.opsilegislation.gov.uk/actsukpga/acts19911991/59/contents/Ukpga_19910059_en_1data.htm | title=Land Drainage Act 1991 (c.59)| Chapter 59 Internal Drainage Boards]website=www.legislation.gov.uk}}</ref> or [[Water Resources Act 1991]]<ref>[{{cite web | url=http://www.opsilegislation.gov.uk/actsukpga/acts19911991/Ukpga_19910057_en_157/contents/data.htm | title=Water Resources Act 1991 (c.57)| National Rivers Authority]website=www.legislation.gov.uk}}</ref> to undertake land drainage or flood protection work in [[England]] and [[Wales]]. Operating authorities include [[internal drainage board]]s, the [[Environment Agency]] and [[local authorities]].<ref>[{{cite web | url=http://www.defra.gov.uk/environ/fcd/policy/idbrev/report.pdf | title=Internal Drainage Board Review -– Final Report] | access-date=2008-05-15 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081209151453/http://www.defra.gov.uk/environ/fcd/policy/idbrev/report.pdf | archive-date=2008-12-09 | url-status=dead }}</ref>
