Climate Change Is Reshaping Our Rainfall
The North East of England is already experiencing the effects of a changing climate. Summers are becoming drier and hotter, while winters are bringing more intense and prolonged periods of rainfall. Flash floods, once considered rare events, are becoming more frequent, putting pressure on drainage systems that were not designed to cope with such extremes. For Northumbrian Water, adapting our infrastructure to these new realities is one of the most important challenges we face.
Our drainage and sewerage network serves over 2.7 million customers across the region, collecting and treating wastewater from homes, businesses, and public buildings before returning clean water to the environment. This network must be resilient enough to handle the storms of today and the even more severe weather events predicted for the decades ahead. Building that resilience requires a combination of traditional engineering, nature-based solutions, and innovative technology.
The Challenge of Urban Drainage
In urban areas, the challenge is particularly acute. Hard surfaces such as roads, pavements, car parks, and rooftops prevent rainwater from soaking naturally into the ground. Instead, it flows rapidly into the drainage system, creating surges that can overwhelm pipes and pumping stations. This is a major contributor to surface water flooding and sewer overflows, both of which cause significant distress and damage to affected communities.
As towns and cities continue to grow, with new housing developments and commercial buildings replacing green spaces, the proportion of hard surface cover increases. Without intervention, this trend will continue to amplify the strain on our drainage infrastructure, making flooding events more likely and more severe.
Sustainable Drainage Systems: Working With Nature
One of the most effective ways to build climate resilience into our drainage network is through sustainable drainage systems, commonly known as SuDS. These are designed to mimic natural processes, managing rainwater close to where it falls rather than piping it away to the sewer system. SuDS come in many forms, including:
- Rain gardens: Shallow, planted areas that collect and absorb rainwater from roofs and driveways, allowing it to filter naturally into the ground.
- Permeable pavements: Surfaces that allow water to pass through them into a storage layer beneath, reducing runoff and recharging groundwater.
- Swales: Gently sloping, vegetated channels that convey and filter rainwater, slowing its journey to the drainage system.
- Green roofs: Rooftops covered with vegetation that absorb rainfall, reduce runoff, and provide insulation and biodiversity benefits.
- Attenuation ponds and wetlands: Larger features that store rainwater during storms and release it slowly, mimicking the natural behaviour of floodplains and marshes.
SuDS deliver multiple benefits beyond flood risk reduction. They improve water quality by filtering pollutants, create habitats for wildlife, enhance the appearance of urban areas, and can even improve air quality and reduce the urban heat island effect. Northumbrian Water is actively promoting and installing SuDS across the region, working in partnership with local authorities, developers, and community groups.
Investing in Network Resilience
Alongside SuDS, we are investing in traditional infrastructure to increase the capacity and resilience of our drainage network. This includes:
- Larger storage tanks: Underground tanks that hold excess water during storms, preventing overflows and flooding. These are released gradually to the treatment works once the storm has passed.
- Upgraded pumping stations: More powerful and reliable pumps that can handle higher volumes of water during peak events.
- Sewer rehabilitation: Relining and replacing ageing sewers to prevent infiltration, collapse, and blockages that can worsen flooding.
- Intelligent network management: Using sensors, telemetry, and predictive analytics to monitor the network in real time and respond proactively to rising water levels before they cause problems.
Community Partnerships for Resilience
Building climate resilience is a shared responsibility. We work with local councils, the Environment Agency, and community flood groups to develop integrated flood risk management plans that consider all sources of flooding β rivers, surface water, groundwater, and sewers. By coordinating our efforts, we can deliver more effective and cost-efficient solutions that protect the communities most at risk.
We also encourage homeowners and businesses to take simple steps to reduce their own contribution to surface water runoff. Replacing impermeable driveways with gravel or permeable paving, installing water butts to collect roof runoff, and planting trees and shrubs in gardens can all help to reduce the volume of rainwater entering the drainage system during storms.
Planning for the Future
Northumbrian Waterβs long-term drainage and wastewater management plan looks 25 years into the future, taking account of projected climate change scenarios, population growth, and urban development. We are committed to ensuring that our infrastructure is not only fit for purpose today, but ready for the challenges of 2050 and beyond. This means designing for resilience, embracing innovation, and working collaboratively with every part of our community to build a safer, more sustainable North East.
Climate change is the defining challenge of our time, but it is also an opportunity to rethink the way we manage water. By investing in nature-based solutions, upgrading our infrastructure, and empowering our communities, we can turn the threat of flooding into a catalyst for positive change.