GE
n
A
h

C
TE
l
IMA
C
08
Adapting to climate
change in sewerage design
Overload of sewerage networks during approach ‘without climate change’ designs are tested
heavy storms can cause unpleasant and costly against the full range of climate change scenarios
disruption. Too little water in times of drought over the expected asset lifetime to identify the scale
can cause different operational problems such and need for any precautionary allowance (such as
as blockages, septicity and odour. The social, larger pipes) or enhanced flexibility.
environmental and economic impact of either
of these extremes is the reality of living with Based on their findings, Atkins recommended that,
climate change and must be considered when for PR09, Ofwat should ask companies to set out a
investing in improvements or new assets. risk-based approach to design standard setting. This
should take into account the vulnerability or criticality
To identify ways of adapting to the increasing adverse of the assets, properties or areas at flood risk. For
affects of climate change, Atkins was appointed by example, design standards will be higher for a hospital
Ofwat to review current and potential best practice in or an environmentally sensitive site than for perhaps
sewerage design and to identify methods for taking external flooding in rural fields. This should lead to
climate change into account. The team recommended sewerage designs that are more cost-beneficial.
that there should be two main approaches depending
on the asset life, future adaptability and local setting. Atkins is also building on this work by carrying
ChArlOTTE
out the Climate Change Modelling for Sewerage
O’COnnOr
Firstly, there should be a precautionary allowance for networks study for UKWIR. The project aims to
Principal Engineer
those assets with a long-life and which are difficult provide guidance to UK sewerage undertakers
STrATEGy,
to adapt (e.g. some tunnelled or deep sewers). on the impact of climate change on the performance
ASSESSMEnT &
Secondly, there should be an adaptive management of sewerage networks and the design criteria
MAnAGEMEnT
approach where asset life is short or where flexibility to be applied to take account of climate T: 01372 756764
can be incorporated (e.g. pump capacity). Under this change impacts. n charlotte.oconnor@atkinsglobal.com
Autumn 2008 | solutions
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24