The Growing Need for Emergency Floodwater Drainage
The UK's extensive network of sewers and drains plays a vital role in managing the transportation of sewage and rainwater to wastewater treatment facilities.
However, this critical infrastructure is facing significant challenges due to a combination of factors, including aging systems, population growth, and increasingly frequent and intense storms driven by climate change.
These issues have resulted in an increase in sewer and drain overflows, leading to widespread flooding that requires immediate and effective management.
The Role of Tanker Companies in Floodwater Management
As flooding incidents become more common, the need for emergency floodwater drainage services is increasing.
Large tankers play a crucial role in managing these situations, providing the capacity to quickly remove excess liquid waste from flooded areas. This service is essential not only for mitigating immediate damage but also for preventing the secondary impacts of flooding, such as contamination and long-term structural damage.
Preparing for the Future: A Growing Demand for Services
Looking ahead, it is clear that the issues surrounding our sewer and drainage systems are only going to intensify.
With infrastructure continuing to age, storms becoming more frequent, and population pressures increasing, the demand for both commercial sewer and drain repairs and emergency floodwater removal services will rise. Businesses involved in these sectors must be prepared to scale their operations to meet this growing need, ensuring that they can provide timely and effective solutions in the face of these challenges.
Infrastructure Challenges: An Aging Network
The commercial sewer and drain infrastructure in the UK is decades old, with some components dating back over a century.
While this network has served the country well, wear and tear over time has significantly compromised its efficiency and reliability. The age of these systems means they are more prone to breakdowns and less capable of handling the increased volumes of water brought on by modern challenges.
Climate Change and Population Growth: Exacerbating the Problem
The UK's population has grown substantially in recent decades, putting additional strain on the sewer and drainage systems.
More people means more wastewater, and when combined with the increased frequency and severity of storms due to climate change, this results in a higher likelihood of flooding. These intense weather events can overwhelm the existing infrastructure, causing sewers and drains to overflow more frequently and with greater impact.
Underinvestment in Sewer and Drain Repairs
Despite the clear need for robust and resilient infrastructure, water companies have often struggled to keep pace with the required maintenance and upgrades.
Each year, millions of pounds are spent on sewer and drain repairs, but this investment is not always sufficient to address the scale of the problem. As the infrastructure continues to age and the demands on it grow, the gap between what is needed and what is being done is widening.
The Importance of Commercial Liquid Removal - Emergency Floodwater Drainage
The combination of an aging infrastructure, climate change, and population growth is creating a perfect storm that is putting immense pressure on the UK’s sewer and drainage systems.
As flooding incidents become more frequent, the role of commercial liquid removal and emergency floodwater drainage services will become increasingly vital. To protect communities and businesses from the damaging effects of flooding, these services must continue to evolve and expand in response to the changing landscape.
Case Study – Filta Group – Emergency Floodwater Pumping
Background – Malfunctioning Pumping Station
We were recently approached by the Filta Group, a leading provider of stormwater pumping stations, individual pumps, floats, and alarm systems. Filta Group needed our assistance at a local pub in Bristol that had experienced severe flooding due to an unprecedented volume of rainfall, coupled with a malfunctioning pumping station.
The Situation – Pub Pumping Station Flodding
The pub is situated adjacent to a large green space and a lake, which had reached its maximum capacity due to the excessive rainfall. Despite having a flood defence system in place, the sheer volume of water overwhelmed the defences, leading to significant flooding. The water not only inundated the surrounding area but also flooded the pub itself, rendering the cellar unsafe and unusable.
The flooding was exacerbated by the breakdown of the pub’s pumping station, which prevented the excess water from being effectively pumped away. In order to repair the commercial sewer and drainage system, a substantial amount of water needed to be removed.
Initial Contact and Response – Emergency Pumping Services Procurement
This was the first time Filta Group had engaged our emergency pumping services, so they needed to set up an account with us to proceed. Once the account was established and the necessary forms were returned within a few hours, we swiftly dispatched a 4,000-gallon tanker at 4 PM the same day to assist their engineers on-site.
On-Site Operations – Emergency Rainwater Pumping
Upon arrival, it was immediately clear that the situation was severe. The lake, having filled to capacity, posed a significant flood risk to the pub and surrounding areas. Despite the pub’s flood defence measures, the volume of rainwater overwhelmed the system, leading to flooding in the cellar and other areas.
Our driver, equipped with a 4,000-gallon tanker, began the process of water removal. Over the course of the evening, we transported 8,000 gallons of water back to our own wastewater facility for treatment. Andersons Waste Treatment operates extended hours, enabling us to handle emergencies that occur outside of typical business hours.
Ongoing Challenges and Solutions – Repeat Visits
After removing 8,000 gallons of water, it became apparent that the flooding was too extensive to be completely resolved in one visit. At the customer's request, we paused operations and scheduled a follow-up visit for when the rainfall subsided, and the land had started to dry.
During our second visit, we removed an additional 4,000 gallons of water, providing the customer with the relief needed to proceed with the installation of new pumps by their engineers.
Conclusion – Flood Water Removed
This case highlights the importance of rapid response and flexibility in addressing emergency flood situations. Despite the challenges presented by the location and weather conditions, our team was able to provide critical support to Filta Group and their client, enabling them to restore operations and prevent further damage. Our extended operational hours and capacity to manage large volumes of water were key factors in mitigating the impact of this severe flooding event.
