The Importance of Surveying: Navigating Flood Risks in an Era of Global Warming
In recent years, the UK has experienced an increase in the frequency and severity of flooding, often intensified by changing weather patterns linked to global warming. Flooding affects critical infrastructure, transport networks, and the broader built environment, including developments, utilities, roads, and public spaces. For Developers, addressing flood risks early in the planning process is essential to avoid costly delays, insurance claims, and potential long-term issues. Proactive planning can help mitigate these risks, ensuring the successful completion and long-term viability of your projects. As climate change continues to bring about unpredictable weather patterns, the importance of thorough surveying in preventing and mitigating flood risks has never been more apparent.
Why Surveying Matters
At the heart of effective flood prevention is accurate data. Whether it’s identifying flood zones, assessing potential risks, or understanding drainage systems, surveying provides critical insights to inform the planning, design, and development of projects. Surveying involves much more than measuring a plot of land or identifying boundaries – it’s about gathering the data that ensures safety, sustainability, and a positive impact on the built environment.
One significant challenge the UK has faced in recent years is the extent of flooding caused by heavy rainfall and rising sea levels, which often follow extreme weather events. Poorly managed drainage systems, inadequate watercourse capacity, and inappropriate development can all contribute to the worsening of flooding issues. Surveying identifies those vulnerabilities early, ensuring future development remains resilient and that existing infrastructure can effectively withstand extreme conditions. With accurate flood risk surveys, planners can identify areas prone to flooding, and with the correct data, precautionary measures can be taken to avoid future damage.
The Role of Surveying in Flood Risk Management
- Flood Risk Mapping: The first step in addressing flood risks is creating accurate maps that identify vulnerable locations. Flood risk assessments, based on the data gathered from surveying, help identify regions where flooding is more likely, aiding Planners, Developers, and Councils in making informed decisions.
- Land and Site Assessments: Beyond flood mapping, surveying also looks at the lay of the land. Land that may seem perfectly suitable for development can in reality be prone to flooding due to its elevation, proximity to water sources, or underlying drainage issues. Accurate surveying ensures that flood risks are considered at the site selection stage, making it easier to design solutions to mitigate these risks.
- Drainage and Infrastructure Surveying: Properly designing drainage and stormwater systems can help to reduce flooding, particularly when paired with careful surveying of existing systems. Engineers can ensure adequate capacity for floodwater management in developments that require safe runoff management.
- Flood Risk Avoidance & Regulations: Working with a surveying team skilled in flood risk management means better compliance with regulations and reducing the likelihood of problems in the future. Surveys can also assist in assessing flood mitigation strategies and infrastructure improvement measures required to comply with planning policies.
The Impact of Global Warming on Flooding
As global warming raises average temperatures, the UK can expect heavier and more frequent rainfall events in the future. This increase in rainfall leads to a higher volume of water flowing through drainage systems, putting greater pressure on flood prevention measures and contributing to surface water flooding. Additionally, the likelihood of severe storms and rising sea levels increases, pushing the need for proactive surveying practices that anticipate such events.
Our team of skilled Surveyors work to ensure the full integration of flood risk management into projects right from the early planning stages. With experience in large-scale developments, infrastructure, residential schemes, and commercial projects, our multi-disciplinary team is highly capable of delivering detailed, accurate flood assessments that help reduce future liabilities.
Our team’s expertise and forward-thinking solutions give Developers and Landowners the confidence that their projects are built to stand the test of time – especially when the pressures of a warming planet continue to intensify. If you are looking to ensure the long-term viability of your project while mitigating flood risk, contact our expert team today. Together, we can address current concerns, plan effectively for the future, and create developments that stand resilient against an unpredictable climate.
