Surface Water Management - Atkins

Contact
If you are interested in
discussing any flooding
related issues in more detail
then please contact one of our
experts based around the UK.
North East
paul.jenkins@atkinsglobal.com
Tel: 01642 525200
North West
zorica.todorovic@atkinsglobal.com
Tel: 01925 238561
East Anglia / Midlands
charlotte.nunns@atkinsglobal.com
Tel: 01733 366993
Wales
gwion.kennard@atkinsglobal.com
Tel: 02920 358026
South East
andy.taylor@atkinsglobal.com
Tel: 01372 754377
South West
christi.brasher@atkinsglobal.com
Tel: 01454 662293
Woodcote Grove, Ashley Road,
Epsom, Surrey KT18 5BW
Tel: 01372 726140
Fax: 01372 740055
water@atkinsglobal.com
www.atkinsglobal.com
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Surface Water
Management

Best Water and Wastewater Consultancy 2008 -
Edie.net Consultancy Survey
Why improve surface water management?
Following the 2007 floods, the Environment Agency (EA) estimated
that two-thirds of the 57,000 homes affected were flooded from
surface water run off overloading drainage systems. The Government
commissioned Sir Michael Pitt to conduct an independent review of the
floods and the final Pitt Report was published in June 2008. Many of its
recommendations have been translated into statutory duties in the draft
Flood and Water Management Bill.
The Bill highlights the need to improve surface water management and
places Local Authorities with a central role in managing local flood risk.
With the EA also given a new strategic role to manage all sources of
flooding within England, it calls for improved co-ordination between
stakeholders at the earliest opportunity to improve surface water
management to avoid such events
happening again.
“Atkins has carried out valuable work for the Birmingham Water Group, lead by the Birmingham City Council with
representatives from the Environment Agency and Severn Trent Water. The integrated modelling of Wood Brook
has enabled the group to better appreciate how river, sewer and surface water flows interact in the catchment and
to work together to consider the best approach to flood alleviation for the area.” Birmingham City Council
How we can help
Atkins has already worked with key stakeholders including Local
Authorities, Environment Agency, highways agencies and water
companies following the 2007 floods to improve flood risk management
in urban and rural areas.
We have the skills required to develop effective Surface Water
Management Plans and contribute to Water Cycle Studies, which draw on
our extensive experience in surface water drainage, flood risk, sustainable
drainage systems (SUDS), water quality, GIS database development and
engineering design. From these core skills, our multi-disciplinary team can
provide the holistic services required to achieve effective surface water
management from strategy to implementation.
Our services
Stakeholder engagement
To manage surface water and flood risk over large geographic areas
involves co-ordination and partnership between stakeholders. Within
all our projects Atkins’ ensures that everyone with an interest has an
effective say in the development of proposals. We also work to gain
their active support. Where appropriate, our teams exceed statutory
requirements for consultation and create drop-in sessions, workshops
and presentations to maximise engagement.
Information exchange
Atkins can undertake above and below ground asset surveys and
translate complex data into easily accessible and useable maps
and databases. We can also utilise our award winning Spatial Data
Infrastructure (SDI). Used successfully for the Partnership for Urban South
Hampshire, a consortium of 11 Local Authorities, the tool provided
an easy to use web-based toolkit to share flood risk information to all
stakeholders and residents. It has provided a useful decision support tool
for planning officers when considering applications for development.
Assessment of flood risk and prioritisation
Our specialists can assess and define flood risk from specific
sites for a new development or on a regional scale for local government.
A greater understanding of the extent and frequencies of flood risk
can be developed from the information we provide, helping to inform
planning and development decisions. Atkins can also help avoid costly
damage and disruption to critical infrastructure such as power stations
and major roads by implementing protection measures.
A current example of our work is a pilot study for the Welsh Assembly
Government (WAG) where we are developing an urban flood risk
management plan for Prestaytn that is aimed at spreading best
practice across Wales. We have also been at the forefront of modelling
techniques, and have undertaken groundbreaking integrated urban
modelling for a diverse range of locations and clients.
Solution identification
In the past three years, Atkins has delivered schemes that have reduced
flood risk to over 20,000 properties across England and Wales. Our
experience encompasses both structural and non-structural flood
alleviation schemes above and below the ground. These include the
design and build of drainage systems, water retaining structures, flood
embankments and walls as well as pumping stations. Atkins can also
assist with the feasibility, design and site support of Sustainable Drainage
Systems (SUDS). This is an increasingly viable alternative to traditional
methods as it aligns with Government and Environment Agency
guidelines and enhances the sustainability of any development.
Emergency planning and civil protection
Atkins can develop emergency plans to ensure the stakeholders affected
will have procedures in place to manage flood incidents safely. Our
recent experience includes developing and facilitating an emergency
exercise for West Mercia Local Resilience Forum to test plans for response
to flooding. ‘Exercise Extend’ was developed and delivered by Atkins’
resilience specialists to over 100 delegates from the Local Authorities,
emergency services, Department for Transport, Highways Agency, military,
utility companies, British Red Cross, private sector businesses and other
voluntary organisations.
The image shows how hydraulic models can be brought vividly to life
using technology similar to those developed by the film industry.
Visualisations of the impact of flooding are a powerful way of raising
awareness amongst the public and stakeholders about risks.