There’s no question about it – the weather is taking a turn for the worse. In recent years severe storms and flooding have become commonplace, and even if they hadn’t, winter is just around the corner – with floodwaters threatening potential long-term damage to buildings and infrastructure.
So how can you protect yourself from the damage and chaos caused by the coming storms and the rising tide of floodwater?
The answer is Stormwater Attenuation. But what does that mean?
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Stormwater Attenuation means capturing rainwater and releasing it slowly
The damage done by storms isn’t just directly on the site of flooding, but on everything downstream from that – as the rainwater attempt to drain away, they will flood lower-lying areas even more severely, and when these areas reach saturation, the floodwaters will cease to run off.
By capturing rainwater in huge containers and releasing it slowly, this risk is averted – the floodwaters are released at the rate at which they drain away and further flooding is prevented.
At Cotterill Civils, flood attenuation systems can be built using a wide range of components to provide a bespoke solution to suit any property. With a choice of storage solutions and pipes to manage the floodwater, and with over 26 years’ experience in the industry, they will be able to help you put together a floodwater solution that fits your property and your needs.
Types of Stormwater Attenuation Tanks & Equipment
Stormwater Attenuation hinges on the ability to trap and store floodwaters, then releasing them slowly into their natural drainage pathways. Therefore, a good Stormwater Attenuation system must be able to do all three, and they achieve this in various ways.
An Elevator raises or “elevates” the level of the ground and creates a space underneath into which floodwaters can gather, with a tank that is modular and easy to build in whatever shapes are required. This tank can be up to 2.5m deep, and can easily be accessed and inspected by a professional via an inspection well.
Stormwater Crates work in a similar way and are perfect for groundwater infiltration. They allow up to 97% of their occupied space to fill with water, so are a very effective way to capture rainwater, and can even withstand up to 80 tonne vehicles parking on top of them! They are a lower-capacity solution that is nonetheless quick and easy to set up, inexpensive and basically maintenance free!
The other option is to use Storm Water Attenuation Tanks and Soakaway Crates to capture water and store it elsewhere. Where the previous two methods of storm attenuation simply caught water from their surrounding area, a separate tank has the ability to capture water from a very wide area using connected pipes, and collect it all together in one huge tank for distribution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Whatever your circumstances, there is a storm attenuation service which will suit your needs perfectly. Just call Cotterill Civils today to speak to one of their experts about what will suit you best!
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