Assessing the impact of flooding on your water system

With the UK having just endured one of the wettest periods of weather in years, flooding is bringing misery to thousands of people across the country and can easily cause long term damage to a water system. The Environment Agency has issued 155 flood alerts and 28 more serious flood warnings across much of England and Wales.

The winter of 2013 to 2014 was the wettest in England for nearly 250 years and around 11,000 residential and commercial properties flooded.  This winter looks set to be even worse with the Environment Agency saying that almost 5 million people in England are at risk of flooding.

The Met Office reported that December was the wettest month ever recorded in the UK, with almost double the rain falling than average. Commentators say that we should get used to this type of weather with climate change heralding warmer, wetter winters with more intense rainstorms.

Many people think that it will never happen to them but the reality is that we should be prepared for more and more flooding over the coming years. 

Measuring the impact

One of the first priorities after the flooding of residential and commercial property is to assess the damage. The water system is one of the areas which can be affected most significantly.

Flooding can lead to damage to water supply systems and to sewerage and sewage disposal systems. It can result in the disruption of underground piping, dislodgment of storage tanks and in manufacturing facilities, the overflow of toxic waste sites and the release of chemicals.

As pipes become overwhelmed with flood water, waterborne infections can flourish such as E.coli and Legionella, leading to an insufficient supply of drinking-water.

Protecting your water system

If you suspect that your water system has been compromised with the recent heavy rainfall, we recommend that you get expert advice on how to protect and manage your water system from the potential risks.

• Risk assessment - A detailed risk assessment will provide a documented appraisal of the safety of your water system and recommendations for its management. This will include an overview of pipework schematics, photographic evidence, a report of any significant findings, water tank surveys and testing of hot and cold water at key points throughout the building.

• Remedial works – Renovation and repairs to your water system may be recommended in the risk assessment. This could include water tank repairs or replacement, pipework repair and the removal of dead legs on the system.

• Water sampling - water samples are taken and analysed to find out the condition of the water in the system. This is particularly important for high risk water sources, such as stagnant water in the aftermath of a flood.

• Regular maintenance - water hygiene services to both domestic and commercial premises minimise risk through proactive maintenance and assessment. This includes temperature monitoring, tank inspection and water hygiene training and consultancy.

For further information on Brodex’s water management services, go to http://www.brodexuk.com/services/