In an ever-changing world, it is sometimes easy to forget the things that we cannot always see, even though they can be right under our feet. Take drainage systems as an example. We all know that they are essential for a civilised and hygienic society. For most people, drainage systems may appear to have changed little since the Romans got serious about the problem long ago, but in fact, they have evolved considerably. Modern materials and modern technology are used to great effect in the industry.
The challenges ahead.
The drainage industry, like many others, faces the challenges of climate change and sustainability. We are already seeing an increase in the occurrence of floods. This surface water will increasingly cause problems, so the maintenance of existing networks will prove to be ever more critical in minimising the impact on water quality and living conditions. The use of sustainable materials is becoming increasingly widespread in the sector. See here for an overview:
There is even talk of Smart Drainage, an adaptable system to cope with the increasing variations in weather and rain patterns. In this way, it is hoped rainwater and flood water can be diverted and used in practical ways. The future will probably see a more integrated approach to drainage as part of a wider water management system. For the domestic consumer, there are, however, things that are bringing positive changes right now.
The use of high-tech drain lining systems saves the need for replacement drains in many cases. This ingenious no-dig technology uses airbags and lining sleeves to bond repair material to the inside of your drains, providing a long-lasting seal with none of the disruptions to your or your neighbour’s properties. The use of special CCTV cameras to survey drains has also saved a lot of disruption. The digging of exploration trenches themselves could cause a lot of destruction. Here you can see the benefits: www.wilkinson-env.co.uk/drainage-services-cctv-surveys-midlands/cctv-drain-surveys/cctv-drain-surveys-alcester from a company that specialises in CCTV drainage surveys in Alcester.
Conclusions.
Whether it is on the micro or the macro level, many advances in drainage have taken place but more will be needed in the future. Local Governments in the UK are working on Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) to integrate water runoff with nature or sports areas, with associated changes to planning law. It is hoped that this will alleviate the increasing pressure on the country’s drainage.
