WET News

THE CONCEPT • Government grants up to £5,000 are available to flood-proof properties that have previously been deluged • Transportable biological treatment tanks use bacteria to treat water from pumps onsite • Each tank improved the quality of the treated water by as much as 40% • Tanker pumps can shift 700 cubic feet per minute NEED TO KNOW 1 National Flood Resilience Review allocates £12.5M for more temporary defences 2 KPMG estimated that the UK's winter floods topped £5bn in damages 3 The government announced four times more temporary barriers would be available 4 BRE's flood-resilient prototype home includes wall membranes to channel water towards floor drains THE VERDICT "Unfortunately, a lot of people believe that external agencies will literally bail them out in times of flooding, but the pressure on them is immense" Adam Colley, ATAC Solutions surveyors and the legal profession to encourage take-up of flood-resilient measures BRE was also instrumental in the development of an innovative solution to the question of domestic flood defence – a flood-resilient prototype home. Launched in February, the property demonstrates how homeowners can implement seemingly simple measures to prevent floodwater entering. It includes the use of flood- resilient doors and windows; water-resistant walls and insulation; a 'resilient' kitchen with moveable units; and floor and wall membranes to channel water towards floor drains. Floods minister Thérèse Coffey hailed the initiative a success, saying: "BRE's house shows how innovations in the construction industry can help people dramatically reduce the financial and emotional impacts of a flood." A national problem In 2015, accountancy firm KPMG estimated that the UK's winter floods topped £5bn in damages and predicted that spend on rebuilding infrastructure and flood defences will hit £2.75bn. The government's National Flood Resilience Review allocates £12.5M for more temporary defences, such as barriers and pumps at strategic locations around the country. Prior to winter 2017, the government announced four times more temporary barriers would be available, and it was spending £2.3bn over the next six years to 2021 to strengthen the country's flood and coastal defences, to better-protect 300,000 homes. However, the question remains: how can businesses and consumers protect themselves in the event of flooding at local level? During the UK floods of 2013, ATAC Solution's fleets of tankers recorded some 45 call- outs per day across the South-east, many to help with jetting blocked drains to avoid further catastrophe. As well as providing frontline flood treatment in some of the UK's worst-hit areas, ATAC worked with water companies to develop new transportable biological treatment tanks. These used bacteria to treat water from pumps onsite – it was then recycled to local watercourses. Each tank improved the quality of the treated water by as much as 40%. They also allowed more oxygen to be applied during the treatment process which helped maintain the natural balance of rivers for local wildlife. "It might look dry out there now," says Adam Colley, director of ATAC Solutions, "but you have to remember that the UK's water table remains at very high levels from last year's rainfall, so a couple of days' heavy rainfall will just add to the already high levels…and overflow water has to drain somewhere. "Plus, you only have to look at the number of new housing and commercial developments in the region placing further pressure on an overstretched infrastructure struggling to cope with demand. However, our tanker pumps can shi¦ 700 cubic feet per minute into our 4,000 gallon tankers which goes someway to alleviate the problem in emergency situations." Sewerage waste ATAC also recommends that now is the time for off-grid property owners to look at their sewerage waste disposal before heavy rain brings further problems. Colley adds: "I would really urge homeowners and commercial properties to look at getting their tanks emptied. People tend to look at their heating and lighting provisions, but completely ignore their own domestic sewage treatment system. I'd say now is the perfect time to address that." Colley continues: MaRch 2017 WET NEWS 21 ....more than just pumps pumps High Pressure Plunger Pumps UK Official Distributor over 7,000 products online www.dualpumps.co.uk Call 01664 567226 for more information "Unfortunately, a lot of people believe that external agencies will literally bail them out in times of flooding, but the pressure on them is immense. Some simple preparations now could prevent a drama being turned into a crisis."

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