Organisations develop computerised flooding management technology

UK professional services firm WSP, Imperial College London and technology company PyTerra have developed a new computerised flood technology that is capable of managing water levels across an entire catchment.

According to WSP, the technology uses a computerised network of water control devices that respond to weather forecasts and automatically catch, store and release rainwater throughout the year.

Flooding can be controlled through a series of underground pipes and hydraulic devices that connect the various ponds, streams and wetlands in a catchment or sub-catchment. Valves can be opened or closed by small transmitters in the field that receive signals sent from the central system.

The technology also works out capacity requirements by using weather forecast data as well as real-time big data provided by high-tech water sensors and satellites.

PyTerra managing director David Arscott said that the link between flooding, drought and environmental problems in rivers is rain, either too much or too little.

"The challenge is getting the right amount of rainwater in the right place at the right time and our new technology may now have an answer for that challenge."

WSP UK water head Ola Holmstrom said: "When the water industry is deregulated in the next few years and smaller suppliers can contribute to the water grid in a similar way to electricity feed-in tariffs, this network approach will create an opportunity for adjoining land owners to jointly sell their water services."

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Image: Floods can be controlled through a series of underground pipes connecting ponds, streams and wetlands in a catchment or sub-catchment. Photo: courtesy of WSP.