Rising sea levels increases the risk of flooding for our assets that are located nearby. We are already starting to experience some effects.
We are carrying out work to assess the vulnerability of our assets and to put in place measures to protect them from extreme weather.
We will upgrade our design standards to enhance our business continuity and major incident response, and ensure that back-up solutions for our most critical solutions are adequate. Our Drainage and Wastewater Management Plans, further details on actions to address intense rainfall, rising sea levels and severe storms.
Belfast Tidal Surge
The highest tidal surges recorded within Belfast Harbour have occurred within the past 20 years, most recently in early January 2014. This ‘near miss’ flooding event was one of a number of ‘near misses’ within a relatively short time period (the five highest tidal surges have been recorded since 1994). We can also expect more intense storms and higher winds that can cause damage and flooding to the facilities, power supplies and telecoms supplies needed to run the water and wastewater system.
North West Flooding
Following a one in 200 year storm event in 2017, the Faughan raw water pumping station used by Carmoney water treatment works was subject to flooding. The flooding rendered the station inoperable. We initiated a project to address the flood risk by reducing the impact of any future flooding at the pumping station. The construction of the £5m scheme has improved resilience against future flooding events and ensures security of supply from Carmoney water treatment works, which serves large parts of Derry City.