Rain And Drain
New ‘reservoir pavement’ technology that holds, purifies and recycles water from torrential downpours could be a solution to increased flooding, say Tarmac
A new absorbent surfacing material called Aquifa could help soak up the extreme effects of flash flooding that appear to be becoming more prevalent in the UK. The technology has been developed by Tarmac for use in new housing developments, retail and business parks and car parking areas.
With heavy downpours in the last few years having caused major flooding and traffic chaos across many parts of the country as the UK’s antiquated drainage system struggled to cope, the new ‘reservoir pavement’ technology could signal the end for the Victorian-designed drainage systems that were overwhelmed by the rain. Moreover, the new system can be used to organically recycle the water for daily use.
Aquifa can absorb millions of gallons of water, relieving the pressure on conventional drainage systems and removing impurities such as oil and sand so that the water actually ends up cleaner than when it fell from the sky. The water can then either soak in to the watercourse or be diverted for use in gardens or as farm irrigation to provide much-needed water during periods of drought.
Howard Robinson, head of product development for Tarmac, said: ‘With nearly 2 million new homes required over the next 10 years and the strong scientific evidence that global warming is going to give the UK warmer, yet wetter winters, the chances of repeated flash floods are high, which is a major concern for the construction and insurance industries.
‘This product has been developed to withstand a ‘100-year storm’ and is not only highly absorbent, but also a robust and flexible material which means that it has been developed with the future in mind and in line with the Environment Agency’s strict SUDS guidelines.’
With the ability to absorb water in up to 30% of its volume, Tarmac’s Aquifa system works by allowing water to permeate through the surface and be collected in an environmentally-friendly layer where naturally occurring bacteria break down and reduce organic impurities, such as oil, which are washed down from the surface. The system also traps sand and silt-sized material and significantly removes harmful heavy metals from the water before it makes its onward journey.
From here the water can be released into existing drainage at a slower rate to avoid flooding, or allowed to permeate into natural watercourses. Alternatively, it can be fed into harvesting systems such as irrigational channels as ‘grey water’ — purified, but not of filtrated drinking quality. This water can be recaptured for other recycling purposes such as flushing lavatories to conserve daily drinking water. Currently 30% of household drinking water is flushed away.
Tarmac Aquifa facts at a glance:
A new absorbent surfacing material called Aquifa could help soak up the extreme effects of flash flooding that appear to be becoming more prevalent in the UK. The technology has been developed by Tarmac for use in new housing developments, retail and business parks and car parking areas.
With heavy downpours in the last few years having caused major flooding and traffic chaos across many parts of the country as the UK’s antiquated drainage system struggled to cope, the new ‘reservoir pavement’ technology could signal the end for the Victorian-designed drainage systems that were overwhelmed by the rain. Moreover, the new system can be used to organically recycle the water for daily use.
Aquifa can absorb millions of gallons of water, relieving the pressure on conventional drainage systems and removing impurities such as oil and sand so that the water actually ends up cleaner than when it fell from the sky. The water can then either soak in to the watercourse or be diverted for use in gardens or as farm irrigation to provide much-needed water during periods of drought.
Howard Robinson, head of product development for Tarmac, said: ‘With nearly 2 million new homes required over the next 10 years and the strong scientific evidence that global warming is going to give the UK warmer, yet wetter winters, the chances of repeated flash floods are high, which is a major concern for the construction and insurance industries.
‘This product has been developed to withstand a ‘100-year storm’ and is not only highly absorbent, but also a robust and flexible material which means that it has been developed with the future in mind and in line with the Environment Agency’s strict SUDS guidelines.’
With the ability to absorb water in up to 30% of its volume, Tarmac’s Aquifa system works by allowing water to permeate through the surface and be collected in an environmentally-friendly layer where naturally occurring bacteria break down and reduce organic impurities, such as oil, which are washed down from the surface. The system also traps sand and silt-sized material and significantly removes harmful heavy metals from the water before it makes its onward journey.
From here the water can be released into existing drainage at a slower rate to avoid flooding, or allowed to permeate into natural watercourses. Alternatively, it can be fed into harvesting systems such as irrigational channels as ‘grey water’ — purified, but not of filtrated drinking quality. This water can be recaptured for other recycling purposes such as flushing lavatories to conserve daily drinking water. Currently 30% of household drinking water is flushed away.
Tarmac Aquifa facts at a glance:
- Reduces the risk of downstream flooding.
- Reduces the risk of overloading existing drainage systems and can replace them completely.
- Cleanses water through its use of geotextile.
- Removes standing surface water.
- Allows soak-away into the existing sub-grade.
- Controls flow into existing conventional drainage systems.
- Harvests and reuses captured surface water as ‘grey water’.
- Reduces and eliminates requirement for surface ironworks, drainage and kerbs.
- Depending upon specific site requirements, installation costs can be significantly less when compared to conventional drainage systems.
- Suitable for use in car parks, housing developments, playgrounds, retail and business parks, sports surfaces, pathways, pedestrian areas, landscaped areas etc.
- Can work as a stand-alone solution or in line with other SUDS initiatives.
