RICS is
calling on government, industry and business to collaboratively approach the
challenges of flooding and the management of water supplies.
Doing
this will help reduce both the incidence and impact of flooding, and future
proof water supplies, as UK population growth and warmer temperatures are set
to take their toll.
Almost
200 surveying professionals came together at the inaugural RICS Water
Conference to debate the challenges facing the future of UK water and highlight
the unique role that chartered surveyors working in the natural environment
play in water management.
Climate
change and a growing population are increasing the UK’s risk of flooding.
Chartered surveyors are uniquely placed to assess the human and economic impact
of flooding and RICS has long called on government to invest in holistic flood
prevention and management.
Martin
McAuley, RICS policy manager said: “It is critical that government invests in
sustainable flood defence infrastructure. Previous models have focused on
keeping floodwater out, but with the growing impact of climate change, this is
not sustainable. To deal with the projected risks of flooding, government and
local authorities need to prioritise flood prevention and management schemes
and work with professionals in the sector to tackle flooding at the source.”
Located mainly in
rural areas, such flood prevention methods include:
- tree planting in uplands to
act as a buffer and slow down the flow of water
- managing and storing water
through the creation of ponds and ditches
- increasing soil infiltration,
through planting spongey bog moss.
McAuley added:
“DEFRA’s 25-year plan took the initial steps needed to tackle this issue, but
as the Brexit departure date looms this could be subject to change. The UK
needs to manage water close to the point of source and not try and stop it when
it’s too late. Rural landowners can help divert and slow floodwater, and help
build future resources, but need support to do so. As part of the shift to a
new regime of farm payment schemes and an increased focus on public goods, RICS
highlights the role that land managers can play in the prevention and
mitigation of serious flooding incidents.”
Fiona Mannix, RICS
associate director, land, commented: “Chartered surveyors working in the
countryside have always had a key role to play in ensuring water, our most
precious resource, is both utilised and managed sustainably. With the focus
going forward firmly placed on the role that our natural resources can play in
delivering public goods for public money, chartered surveyors engaged in land
management have the skills to ensure that water continues to be managed
sustainably and to ensure its value as an asset is maximised.”
Increased flooding
risks are not the only challenges. Without the management of water now, the UK
could see the supply of water failing to keep up with growing demand. Such a
shortage would impact UK daily life and social problems, including the housing crisis.
To protect future
water resources, RICS recommends government explores water sensitive urban
design integration, and the construction sector reviews the water-specific life
cycle costs of buildings and developments.
Mannix continued:
“When the average person in the UK uses 140 litres of water per day, the role
water plays in our lives is staggering and often overlooked. Sustainable Urban
Drainage Systems (SUDS) are an option to help manage water in the UK and have already
been advocated by government as a way of addressing the environmental
challenges. RICS supports the use of SUDS and has been engaged with the
University of Portsmouth in looking at the associated costs and value.”
The
Savills-sponsored conference – hosted in Solihull in collaboration with the
Environment Agency – was the first flagship conference held outside of London,
and also covered water abstraction in England, riparian rights, and the roles
and responsibilities of water companies.
