CUE Section 4 Urban Drainage Enfield Case Study

Question 1

What is the location of Enfield?

Answer 1

North London

Question 2

What is river restoration and conservation?

Answer 2

Aims to restore river systems to a more natural state.

Can help to:
reduce flood risk
Decrease water pollution
Create new habitats
Increase biodiversity

Question 3

Why was the scheme needed?

Answer 3

Heavily urbanised area - spread of urban area led to increase in surface runoff and channel flow from the river Lea so over 9000 homes in Enfield at risk of flooding
This has increased the frequency and intensity of floods.

Pollution - high Surface runoff from roads increased pollution in water
pollution from domestic sources (up to 10% of houses in Enfield have wastewater pipes that feed directly into rivers)

Question 4

What were the aims of the project?

Answer 4

Reduce flood risk
Reduce surface runoff - improve water quality
Provide more habitats for wildlife and recreational areas for residents

Question 5

Evaluation of the project - what were the successes?

Answer 5

Flood risk seems to have reduced - high rainfall in Dec 2013 and Jan 2014 did not cause significant flooding in Enfield.
Populations of eels and some species of insects eg) dragonflies have increased

Question 6

Evaluation of the project - what were the limitations?

Answer 6

Pollution and litter are still an issue in many rivers.

Question 7

What groups were involved in the scheme?

Answer 7

Defra and Thames Water are providing the funding - 2012, granted £340 000 to project to construct more SUDS.

Local residents volunteer to be involved in water quality monitoring and litter pickups - so a positive reaction from the community.

Students from local schools involved litter picking and wildlife monitoring and education sessions for local schools to increase engagement.

Question 8

What were the uses of SUDS?

Answer 8

Vegetated trenches – placed around roads to absorb run off and decrease flood risk

Rain planters – placed in schools to collect rainwater and manage the flow of water into drains, lowering flood risk and provide education to children.

Wetlands – improve water quality as reed beds decrease surface runoff and filter water.