Page 6 - Council Journal Autumn 2019

Jamie Reynolds - T: 087 102 9433 - E: reynoldsj@bv.com Barry Dunphy - T: 087 912 8757 - E: bdunphy@nodwyer.com
The Challenge of Climate Change and Flood Alleviation: IDelivering Local Solutions using Global Expertise
n 2012 the Office of Public Works (OPW) identified 300 areas or communities at risk of significant flooding. In recent years, flood
water backs-up and overtops the drainage channels constructed to reclaim the
land. Our team has identified solutions
to improve drainage, including pumping water from the fields; or dredging to alter the profiles of the channels and mouth of the Cashen Estuary. We have been able to call upon our experience in successfully delivering innovative solutions which
design concepts for Burton’s undefended floodplain, the Washlands, unlocking £2M+ investment in green infrastructure enhancements.
alleviation schemes by the OPW, and
local authorities, have protected over 9,500 properties and secured economic benefits for the nation estimated at €1.9 billion. However, Ireland’s flood alleviation challenge remains significant.
The flood alleviation scheme for Burton-upon-Trent aims to unlock the environmental and community value of
the Washlands, a 630ha undeveloped floodplain and green infrastructure resource. Success required collaboration between professionals in landscape architecture, ecology, geomorphology, environmental economics and engineering, and with disparate local partners and stakeholders, considering climate change and future flood risk.
To respond to the challenge,
Nicholas O’ Dwyer and Black & Veatch have established a partnership which combines global international expertise and local insight and experience. The partnership
is currently working with local authorities and the OPW on a series of projects which deliver flood resilient solutions throughout the country and address the growing challenge of climate change.
are more environmentally advantageous and save on capital and operational costs, compared with traditional solutions.
An example of one of these projects
is the River Poddle Flood Alleviation Scheme. The River Poddle rises close to the Institute of Technology in Tallaght
and flows through Templeogue, Kimmage, Harold’s Cross, and Temple Bar before joining the River Liffey at Wellington Quay. The project is a response by South Dublin County Council and Dublin City Council, supported by the OPW, to existing flood risk and future threats posed by climate change. The river has on numerous occasions overflowed its banks, most recently in the severe flood events of October 2011, which resulted in significant damage to property and the tragic loss of human life. When completed the scheme will protect over 800 properties along
the river and reduce the existing threat
to life and property. The Scheme will consist of upstream flood storage, in line flood defences and strategic channel re- alignment to improve conveyance.
As with Cashen, the Poddle scheme will deliver insights and develop expertise applicable to future flood alleviation projects including those remaining on
the CFRAM programme. We understand the local authorities’ responsibilities in terms of flood protection, sustainable drainage and climate resilience and our familiarity and experience working with local authorities on major capital projects across the country will be a valuable asset in meeting these goals.
Our shared vision was distilled from wide ranging aspirations, strategies
and policies, and developed through participative design workshops. We combined traditional consensus building techniques and hand drawn visualisations with innovative, interactive digital ‘StoryMap’ resources to share and democratise the process, making technical concepts accessible to all.
The partnership is also working directly with the OPW in County Kerry, on the Cashen Estuary Drainage Project, which
is addressing a flood threat common to other parts of the country. Agricultural land reclaimed from the sea, under the provisions of the 1945 Arterial Drainage Act, is now affected by flooding when
6 Council Journal
The scheme comprises 15km of
new flood channel alongside the River Thames from Datchet to Shepperton and improved river conveyance to Teddington. Of particular mention is our visionary landscape plan to engage 3rd parties
and enable investment whilst developing the most complex 2D hydraulic model in Europe to optimise design.
Drawing on our international experience we are currently delivering the River Thames Scheme, the UK’s largest
flood protection scheme, by working collaboratively with the Environment Agency (EA), seven local authorities, and 50+ community groups. We have already reduced costs by more than £300M for the EA by using innovations in approach and technology.
Nicholas O’ Dwyer and Black &
Veatch provide a strong skillset for the delivery of local authority and statebody infrastructure projects, with several decades of working as trusted advisor
in the sector. Our partnership is also currently delivering the Vartry Water Supply Scheme for Irish Water which includes the expansion of the existing Vartry Treatment works, refurbishment
of the Dam, tunnel and intake system and rehabilitation of Stillorgan Reservoir.
Our project teams are experienced in all facets of public works from feasibility
to design, planning to procurement and construction supervision to handover. Our strength in this sector is based on local knowledge and global expertise which we look forward to putting to further fruition in upcoming infrastructure projects in Ireland.
Leading in collaborative working enables diverse teams and stakeholders to work together towards a shared vision. For
the Burton-on-Trent FRMS we united the Environment Agency and local partners behind ambitious interdisciplinary