REGENERATION
THE IMPORTANCE OF SUSTAINABLE URBAN DRAINAGE Sean Keyes, MD of Sutcliffe, outlines the importance of investment into Liverpool’s aging drainage networks As we saw this August when the city was hit by intense rainfall, the region can certainly be more progressive in its efforts to prevent flooding by vastly improving its flood prevention systems. The adoption of rainwater attenuation systems will improve rainwater drainage management and reduce flooding, ultimately improving people’s lives in areas that are at risk of flooding such as South Liverpool, along the River Alt such as Huyton and Wirral. Sustainable urban drainage systems (SuDS) have rightly emerged as a vital solution in the fight against flooding and water pollution caused by utility companies discharging untreated wastewater into watercourses. At Sutcliffe, we specialise in Flood Risk Assessment, helping our clients manage and reduce the risk of flooding of homes and land - and when working on new residential
housing sites, we are now constructing enormous underground storage tanks which trap and store rainwater which slowly releases the water into the drainage system, for up to 24 hours, substantially reducing the peak of a large flood. This is a vital contribution to further reduce rainfall into the already overloaded region’s drainage systems, which can lead to highways flooding and pollution. Nevertheless, sustainable urban drainage systems also promote water conservation and boost local ecosystems. I believe that the existing drainage networks in Liverpool and other major cities are Victorian, and require significant investment. The construction of all new projects using SuDS and other flood preventative measures will ultimately improve people’s lives across the city and will prevent damage to homes and in the most extreme cases, prevent unnecessary deaths.
I have seen first hand what can happen when we experience heavy rainfall. For instance, heavy rainfall results in road gullies being unable to function as designed and this periodically results in flooding of low lying roads or our homes and shops in our region. To achieve long-term success, it’s important not only for utility companies, but also Government policymakers, developers, and engineers to work together to make sustainable urban drainage systems a more integral part of our infrastructure moving forwards. I’m immensely proud to be a Chartered Civil Engineer within our city and I believe that new alternative designs will improve our drainage network. This is most critical as we have recently experienced, immediately following a storm, our drainage systems are currently not fit for purpose.
INNOVATIVE PROJECT AIMS TO DRIVE INDOOR AIR QUALITY IMPROVEMENT Torus, through its charitable arm, Torus Foundation, has been delivering a project to help raise awareness and increase understanding of indoor air quality, while sharing key messages to support Torus customers of ways to ‘clean’ the air in their home. The aim of the Indoor Air Quality Project, funded by the Beyond Children and Young Person’s Transformation Programme hosted by Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, and Torus, was to help raise awareness and increase understanding of indoor air quality, while sharing key messages to support Torus customers of ways to ‘clean’ their air in the home. Background Indoor air quality refers to the cleanliness of air that we breathe inside (at home, work, school etc). It is known to affect our comfort, wellbeing, and health (particularly
Liverpool Chamber
respiratory health). Children are spending more of their time indoors than ever, and poor indoor air quality can be a significant source of potential ill health. Associated health effects in children include breathing problems, chest infections, low birth weight, pre-term birth, wheeze, allergies, eczema, skin problems, hyperactivity, inattention, difficulty sleeping, sore eyes and not doing well at school. Empowering customers As part of the project two hundred air quality monitors from AirThings, have been installed into Torus homes across Liverpool and other areas, where young children also lived in the property. Kate Shone, Managing Director for Torus Foundation, said: “Health and Wellbeing being one of Torus Foundation’s key areas of support. This project is providing us with the information we need to keep our customers informed and educated about
how to optimise the air quality within their homes. This project is another great example of positive changes we can make for our communities through collaborative working.” Sector impact Throughout the project, Torus Foundation has provided ongoing support and feedback to the customers involved, that has not only helped towards raising awareness and knowledge around indoor air quality and to empower them to understand ways in which they can make changes for the health of their family, but identify where additional help may be needed to improve readings benefitting the customers’ living conditions in the property. The anonymised data collected has also been shared with academics who are producing a study based on the results to help improve indoor air quality throughout the social housing sector.
21
