What do we know about the Dutch? Apart from their windmills and tulips, they are known all over the world for their knack for developing quality flood protection solutions.
The Netherlands is a geographically low-lying flat area, the reason why they are most likely to take the brunt of the effects of climate change. Therefore they are not new to the flood protection business.
Before the Dutch became experts in water management, the long learning curve involved centurys' worth of suffering from countless devastating floods. The first notable disaster in 838 AD recorded 2,437 casualties, opening up their minds to building infrastructures that would keep flood waters at bay. Hence, the birth of dykes, polders and windmills that pump out water back to where it should be. The St. Elisabeth's flood of 1421 was recorded as one of the worst floods in history. The dykes and polders were destroyed by floodwaters that wiped out villages off the map.
The Dutch are able to live well despite half of their nation lying in flood-prone areas. How? They just simply follow a code: Live with water, don't fight it.
Living with water simply means finding ways to mitigate safety risk and property damages against flooding. From amphibious houses to self-closing flood barriers, the Dutch have clearly influenced water governance in some parts of the world such as; China, Africa and Australia. Water management engineers and experts continue to stay on top of maintaining riverine and coastal flood defences.
The majority of the Australian population live in metropolitan cities along the coastline, this is why flood mitigation measures are taken seriously by consent authorities and builders.
Flood mitigation measures were designed to minimise or eliminate the adverse effects of flood on people's lives and property. There are different ways to conduct Flood Mitigation Measures namely; flood modification, property modification, and response modification.
Flood modification is the traditional mitigation process used to divert the flood away from a property. This type of approach addresses the existing risk of flooding. It prevents revenue loss through structural mitigation measures, such as levees, dams, channel improvement and diversions, floodgates and detention basins.
Property modification tackles both the existing and future risks of flooding. It uses a non-structural approach to mitigation via zoning and land use planning, building design regulations as monitored by consent authorities across Australia and other flood proofing devices like the self-closing flood barrier.
Response modification targets the continuing risk of flooding. It puts emphasis on risk management through awareness campaigns, education and information programmes, warning systems, evacuation and emergency response. The approach doesn't cost much however, its effectivity greatly relies on the appropriateness of people's response to flood.
With the nation's history of flooding, the Dutch came up with a fast-acting solution that would protect the people and properties from being flooded within minutes of water level rising. The Dutch design self-closing flood barriers require no warning system or time for activation. These flood barriers are also non-intrusive with minimal footprint when in the resting position. Self-closing flood barriers don't have mechanical parts and the seals are unexposed to elements - making it a low maintenance and cost-effective flood defence.
At Flooding Solutions Advisory Group, we understand the threat that flood brings to the community, economy and the building industry in general. We provide expertise in flood management and work closely with engineers, architects and the designers to draw suitable risk management measures and incorporate them into the design process of flood protection products which meet our client's interest and specification.