Flooding

From the dawn of civilisation, society has been affected by floods. Communities established near rivers and along the coast have been particularly affected. As civilisation has developed, it has adapted to flooding, making buildings resistant to flooding and protecting communities with flood defences. Yet even the most highly developed parts of the world are still at risk from devastating floods today.

Projections relating to climate change indicate that extreme weather and sea level rise are likely to increase the risk of flooding. CIWEM is working to improve ways in which flood waters are managed so that they better link in with the water cycle.

CIWEM's work on Flooding

CIWEM's work on flooding issues is coordinated through the Rivers and Coastal Group and WaPUG (CIWEM's Urban Drainage Group). CIWEM also produces the Journal of Flood Risk Management.

The 2007 Floods and the subsequent review led by Sir Michael Pitt stimulated much debate about how best to tackle the management of flood risk in the future. Against a background of creating a more joined up approach, the need for sustainable solutions and the challenges of climate change, the ICE, CIWEM, RIBA, RICS, RTPI, RUSI and the Landscape Institute produced a Joint Policy Statement in 2009 to inform and guide their members and the wider industry.

Managed Realignment - Around a third of the coastline surrounding England and Wales is currently protected by defences designed to reduce the risk to people and properties from coastal flooding and erosion. Scientists expect this risk to increase substantially in the future, mostly as a result of climate change. In some areas, maintaining the current line of defence will become increasingly cost-prohibitive and, more importantly, unsustainable. CIWEM have produced a Briefing Report on the subject exploring the available policy options.

Policy Position Statements:

• Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management
• Environmental impacts of Combined Sewer Overflows
• Deculverting of Watercourses
• Joint policy statement on Managing Urban Flood Risk