The recent surface water flooding in the UK provided a timely backdrop for civil engineers attending the seminar on urban drainage modelling and management in Exeter on 29th June.
The recent surface water flooding in the UK provided a timely backdrop for civil engineers attending the seminar on urban drainage modelling and management in Exeter on 29th June. The event was organised by the Institution of Civil Engineers SW Region and supported by the South West Section of the British Hydrological Society.
The modelling theme of the seminar was introduced by Mike Reeves (Innovyze) who gave an overview of computational drainage network modelling, and the state of the art in the full integration between the sewerage system and the 2D land surface in response to rainfall. Future development is likely to be focussed on the improved representation of SUDS. David Martin (Wessex Water) set out the regulatory drivers and flood risk management priorities in the current AMP cycle, and explained how computational modelling was being used to develop options to deal with flood risks. This approach was developed by Jemma Bennett (Mouchel) who presented a case study to illustrate the merits of detailed modelling, in particular 2D, for risk-based design of improvements to existing drainage systems. The case study was concluded with a discussion of surface water management plans and the issues of retrofitting SUDS to existing systems.
The importance of taking account of uncertainty in modelling the flood capacity of drainage systems was highlighted by Jeanne-Rose Renee (University of Exeter). By comparing different sampling methods and using forecast and gauged rainfall she showed how the uncertainty in the subsequent computational drainage network model could be assessed.
Developing the management theme of the seminar, Dave Stewart (Torbay Council) explained the context and key responsibilities for Lead Local Flood Authorities under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010, including the issues associated with implementation at a local level. Dave Watkins (Cornwall Council) followed up with an update on the emphasis on the integration of SUDS into urban drainage management under the Act, including reflections on the recent consultation on proposed National Standards and the role of the new SUDS Approving Bodies.
The seminar allowed civil engineers in the South West to share expertise in modelling and managing flood risk in the light of urban development and changing legislation.
Martin Borthwick
23 July 2012