Menu
01/09/2006
Sewer flood warning as heavy rain is forecast
The Consumer Council for Water (CCWater) has urged water companies to prepare for potential sewer flooding as more heavy rain is forecast across England and Wales.
The CCWater said that although sewer flooding is rare and the risk heavily localised, it probably represented the worst service failure than can happen to water and sewerage consumers.
Sewer flooding is caused by one of two main factors – sewers that are overloaded after severe storms or blockages within the sewerage system itself.
Dame Yve Buckland, CCWater chairperson said: Sewer flooding is a social problem affecting people's homes, not just a failure of the sewerage system. Although sewer flooding in the home is restricted to a few thousand homes in England and Wales, it is incredibly distressing for the unlucky few who experience it.
“Downpours at the end of the summer are a known trigger for sewer flooding. The system can silt up during dry spells and overflow in response to unusually heavy rainfall.”
Dame Yve said water and sewerage companies should be prepared to respond rapidly to severe flooding incidents in order to minimise distress, while local authority planners should also carefully consider any developments in areas prone to flooding and continued investment in local flood defences.
Dame Yve added: “Thankfully, the amount of investment allocated to tackling sewer flooding has increased over the last two years, so the scale of the problem across the country is decreasing, with some exceptions. But we must not drop our guard. Sewer flooding is acceptable to no-one and for as long as it continues to affect a few thousand consumers, investment must continue in reducing the number of cases.”
The CCWater said that consumers could help avoid sewer flooding by binning nappies instead of trying to flush them, by not disposing of fat down sinks and reporting any blockages.
Other items which should not be thrown down the drain include: syringes, cotton buds, plastic wrapping and items of clothing.
(KMcA/SP)
The CCWater said that although sewer flooding is rare and the risk heavily localised, it probably represented the worst service failure than can happen to water and sewerage consumers.
Sewer flooding is caused by one of two main factors – sewers that are overloaded after severe storms or blockages within the sewerage system itself.
Dame Yve Buckland, CCWater chairperson said: Sewer flooding is a social problem affecting people's homes, not just a failure of the sewerage system. Although sewer flooding in the home is restricted to a few thousand homes in England and Wales, it is incredibly distressing for the unlucky few who experience it.
“Downpours at the end of the summer are a known trigger for sewer flooding. The system can silt up during dry spells and overflow in response to unusually heavy rainfall.”
Dame Yve said water and sewerage companies should be prepared to respond rapidly to severe flooding incidents in order to minimise distress, while local authority planners should also carefully consider any developments in areas prone to flooding and continued investment in local flood defences.
Dame Yve added: “Thankfully, the amount of investment allocated to tackling sewer flooding has increased over the last two years, so the scale of the problem across the country is decreasing, with some exceptions. But we must not drop our guard. Sewer flooding is acceptable to no-one and for as long as it continues to affect a few thousand consumers, investment must continue in reducing the number of cases.”
The CCWater said that consumers could help avoid sewer flooding by binning nappies instead of trying to flush them, by not disposing of fat down sinks and reporting any blockages.
Other items which should not be thrown down the drain include: syringes, cotton buds, plastic wrapping and items of clothing.
(KMcA/SP)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
26 July 2007
Two people die in flooding accident
Two men have died as they attempted to clear flood water from a flooded rugby club in Gloucestershire. It is thought that the two men, reported to be a father and son, were using a petrol-powered pump to clear water from the cellar of Tewkesbury Rugby Club and may have been overcome by petrol fumes.
Two people die in flooding accident
Two men have died as they attempted to clear flood water from a flooded rugby club in Gloucestershire. It is thought that the two men, reported to be a father and son, were using a petrol-powered pump to clear water from the cellar of Tewkesbury Rugby Club and may have been overcome by petrol fumes.
05 November 2014
NAO Say Govt Flood Defence Spending 'Insufficient'
The National Audit Office (NAO) has warned that the UK's flood defences are likely to "deteriorate faster" as the money being spent on maintaining them is "insufficient". A report from the NAO claims that half of the country's defences received a "minimal level" of maintenance which was insufficient to secure homes.
NAO Say Govt Flood Defence Spending 'Insufficient'
The National Audit Office (NAO) has warned that the UK's flood defences are likely to "deteriorate faster" as the money being spent on maintaining them is "insufficient". A report from the NAO claims that half of the country's defences received a "minimal level" of maintenance which was insufficient to secure homes.
10 February 2014
UK Floods: Disaster Continues And Thames Reaches Record Levels
Communities along the Thames, particularly in Berkshire and Surrey, are being warned to expect further severe property flooding from the River Thames today and Tuesday, according to the Environment Agency.
UK Floods: Disaster Continues And Thames Reaches Record Levels
Communities along the Thames, particularly in Berkshire and Surrey, are being warned to expect further severe property flooding from the River Thames today and Tuesday, according to the Environment Agency.
11 February 2013
Flood Alerts Follow Snowfall
The UK Environment Agency has issued flood warnings across Britain, following another night of heavy snow. Some parts of the country woke to over 10cm (4in) of snow on Monday morning. Most areas have been covered in a white blanket at least 5cm deep.
Flood Alerts Follow Snowfall
The UK Environment Agency has issued flood warnings across Britain, following another night of heavy snow. Some parts of the country woke to over 10cm (4in) of snow on Monday morning. Most areas have been covered in a white blanket at least 5cm deep.
20 December 2012
Environment Agency Issues Flood Warnings
The Environment Agency has issued flood warnings on southern and south west England, south west Wales and the Midlands. Successive bands of heavy rain are moving across England and Wales, and with the ground already saturated, this is likely to lead to property flooding from rivers and surface water as well as disruption to road and rail networks.
Environment Agency Issues Flood Warnings
The Environment Agency has issued flood warnings on southern and south west England, south west Wales and the Midlands. Successive bands of heavy rain are moving across England and Wales, and with the ground already saturated, this is likely to lead to property flooding from rivers and surface water as well as disruption to road and rail networks.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
