Affordability of Stormwater and Flood Risk Management Schemes for Local Government

Consultants are are in a unique position to see the struggles Local Authorities face with regards to affordability of stormwater and flood remediation schemes. Looking across the many Local Authorities charged with delivering stormwater services, several common issues emerge across many of them that are worth identifying and seeking to share.

In short, it is clear that Stormwater, being the ‘poor cousin’ has not had the attention that is required to allow communities and habitats to thrive successfully. As such, a different way of thinking is required to deal with these issues. We need to be adaptive and embrace stormwater management as an opportunity to add significant value to communities. We need to be looking towards developing low tech solutions, adaptable resilient facilities which could operate across multiple functions. Where multiple functions can be achieved there are opportunities for funding from different sources. Larger Municipal Councils have an advantage in this space. Having access to a greater funding pool affords the luxury of dedicated staff working on strategy and larger budgets to use for future proofing.

Some Councils are able to lead providing appropriate ‘big picture planning’ and developing clear visions for regeneration and new development. Strategic land purchases made over several years are now being developed into critical stormwater management areas. They are pushing the best practice boundaries to maximise water quality treatment, establish new ecological ecosystems, improve biodiversity, link to key walkways and cycle routes, create new amenity and recreational areas, all whist achieving their primary stormwater function for flood alleviation and enabling further development.

An attitude shift towards taking a ‘big picture’ point of view and the increasing awareness and focus on stormwater management is a step in the right direction. It is a huge improvement on the reactive approach of the past, where solutions were considered in isolation due to lack of data and the complexity of interactions between pipes, and watercourses, attenuation systems, infiltration systems, etc.