Investigating economic benefits of flood resistance and resilience
Posted: Friday 22nd August 2008
Entec, in partnership with Greenstreet Berman, has investigated the economic benefits of using flood resilience (use of materials resilient to flooding) and resistance (materials designed to keep water out) measures for Defra. The aim of the study was to provide analytical information for the wider Making Space for Water projects, which encourages and incentivises the uptake of flood resistance and resilience measures by households and businesses.
The research highlighted that for properties with an annual risk of flooding greater than 2%, it is economically worthwhile (50 year return period) to install resistance measures. Where the risk is 4% or greater per annum the savings are far greater. Temporary resistance measures such as airbrick covers and flood guards can also reduce damage costs by half, whilst permanent measures can mean up to 84% less damage costs. However, a full package of resilience measures was only found to be economically worthwhile when installed in a building that has a greater than 4% annual risk of flooding.
The study also found that many householders and small businesses in areas of significant flood risk recognise the benefits of property level resistance and resilience measures, yet many are deterred from taking action because they feel they are expensive or not their responsibility. Also many people were not aware of the various resilience/resistance options available. The sandbag is one of the only recognised measures, yet many experts believe that it is a largely ineffective one.
The information produced in the study has been used to assist the development of an ongoing Defra consultation to support the implementation of a £5 million government scheme to support households in England which face a particularly high risk of flooding but which are not protected by traditional community level defences. Further details are available at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2008/080730a.htm.
Entec’s project manager Neil Thurston commented: “The study showed that there are a range of economical and practical solutions which can be used by householders and small businesses in high risk areas to help minimise the impacts of future floods. The study has also provided new evidence to support ongoing Defra consultations on these issues and support government led schemes to enhance the uptake of flood resistance and resilience measures”.
