Loss Assessors Advice

How to Manage Surface Water

With the bad weather about to hit us, are you protect from flooding? Can your property deal with surface water build up?

A well designed and maintained surface water drainage system can save you money as well as reduce pollution (just think about what the water has picked up on the way) and reduce the chance of flooding to your property or business.

The key is getting the balance between a drainage system that works and one that isn’t going to harm the environment by simply evacuating the water to surrounding areas. If water is drained too quickly it can increase water pollution and the risk of flooding to other areas. It can also cause damage to wildlife and river habitats.

The Environment Agency have adopted the use of Sustainable Drainage Systems or SUDS as the acronym aptly spells as the way forward for dealing with flooding. Land owners are advised to use infiltration systems, swales, storm ponds and green roofs to help carry the excess water away.

The most cost effective way of creating your own SUDS is to use existing natural drainage patterns and then utilise ditches and ponds.

If you want to know more about how to deal with surface water and drainage, then visit the Environment Agency site.

With the severe weather forecast for this weekend, you need to be in the know.