Agenda Reports Pack (Public) 15/10/2012, 19.00 - Meetings ...

improvement projects (FLIPs). FLIPs are essentially a mini pumping stationconcealed within a manhole chamber, protecting one or more properties fromflooding. Waste water from the property is pumped to levels above the maximumwater level in the main trunk sewer at times of heavy storm rainfall. A FLIP deviceprevents raw sewage from backing up from the main sewer and flooding basements.To date Thames Water have installed and commissioned 263 FLIPs units 6 . The TaskGroup was impressed with the work Thames Water were undertaking on FLIPs,although were disappointed that the take up rate amongst residents was not higher.Recommendation Five: Flood Risk AssessmentsIt is recommended that the Council require planning applicants to provide a detailedflood risk assessment, placing a particular emphasis on any application for abasement development. This assessment should include an acknowledgement fromthe applicant that they understand surface water flooding risk and also require themto state what sustainable drainage systems (SUDs) they intend to incorporate intotheir development. If an applicant does not intend to incorporate any SUDs theyshould be required to explain why their development will not have any detrimentalimpact on surface water flooding in the borough.SUDs: Community Level2.19. At a community level SUDs can be implemented, for example, through swales orporous paving of highways. An artificial swale is a low tract of land designed tomanage water runoff, filter pollutants and increase rainwater infiltration. Mr StefanCzeladzinski told the Task Group consideration was currently being given to creatinga swale to help facilitate the borough’s flood risk management plan to the north ofthe borough at Wormwood Scrubs Commons. Topographical studies havehighlighted flood risk zones which can be excavated and act as naturalisedattenuation containers. This will not only accommodate increased volumes of rainfall,but increase biodiversity and habitat within a very urban borough with high levels ofdeprivation to the north, which will in turn increase the quality of life for localresidents and other site users. The swales could be designed to store up to one yearof rainfall (about 650 mm) in one go for over 70 hectares of land, thus protecting thenorth of the borough and reducing potential sewer overflow in the south of theborough.6 http://www.thameswater.co.uk/cps/rde/xbcr/corp/counters-creek-public-meeting-presentation-14-november-2011.pdf- 21 -Page 180