Water, rain and flooding
Living with Rainwater - London Wildlife Trust
A guide to working with nature to make your neighbourhood more flood proof. 5 simple ways to reduce local flood risk.
Although they can feel increasingly disconnected, cities and the natural environment don’t have to be separate. London was built around a network of rivers, many of which have since been pushed underground by our thirst for urban development and growth. However by working with nature to restore water’s natural flow that is often lost in cities, we can create resilience to extreme weather as well as providing beautiful spaces for people to enjoy and where wildlife can flourish. This guide gives an introduction to small scale projects that can do just this.
Royal Horticultural Society Gardening Matters series, No. 1 Front Gardens - Are we parking on our gardens? Do driveways cause flooding? Includes designs for front gardens with parking, and information on porous materials:
https://www.rhs.org.uk/science/pdf/Gardening-matters-Front-Gardens-urban-greening.pdf
"Future Water" - UK Government
The Government's water strategy for England contains information on surface drainage
Soil Sealing - DEFRA
DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) on soil sealing: the covering of the soil surface with an impervious material or the changing of its nature so that the soil becomes impermeable
Environment Agency website
Has information on flooding, flood risk and water management:
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/
What causes sewer flooding? - Thames Water
Climate change, population growth, and the paving over of green spaces that provide natural drainage are putting increasing pressure on our sewerage network.
Drainage and surfacing materials
CIRIA Construction Industry research & information: news and information on sustainable drainage systems (SUDS):
Interpave
The Precast Concrete Paving and Kerb Association: advice on surfaces and guidance on "Paving For Rain" and "Responsible Waste Water Management Around The Home":
