Flood Control at IFAT 2008: Controlling Bodies of Water
Farsighted flood control and shore protection are environmental protection tasks with optimum priority, not the least due to the climate change. How can we support natural retention basins of water reservoirs and what protection do technical solutions provide? As the leading international trade fair of the environmental protection industry, IFAT 2008 has included this trendy topic in its exhibitor categories.
During the summer months, people are drawn to water on long beaches as well as in charming river valleys and at peaceful lakes. Hardly anyone thinks that he is in zones with increasing risks of environmental catastrophes. According to figures released by the European Commission, floods have caused insured economic damages of at least 25 billion euros since 1998.
These are costs, which will most probably increase with the climate change over the coming years. The simulations of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) show that danger of floods resulting from heavier and longer-lasting rainfall will increase in
The signs of the time have been recognized on the EU level. Against the background of the dramatic floods of 2002, the European Commission has demanded European-wide legal regulations for managing flood risks. At the end of April this year, a flood control directive was passed, in which the member countries were called upon to determine the most strongly endangered catchment areas and associated coastal regions. Flood risk maps and plans for managing flood control should ¬ be created for these areas.
The guidelines focus on non-structural measures, such as use of natural flood areas as absorption areas for flood water. With that, they are precisely in tune with a Best Practice Manual published in February of this year, which is the result of the four-year EU research project 'Frame'. The core statement of the report is that building dikes alone no longer suffices to confront the increasing water level in low-lying countries. To prevent damages, we have to give water more room and let it flood in a controlled manner. Interim water storage can go perfectly hand in hand with recreation of nature and people, according to the EU researchers. Five water catchment areas have been set up in
In spite of increased use of natural retention basins, it will not be possible to do without technical flood control measures such as retention basins, polders, dikes as well as mobile and stationary protection walls. Deutsche Bank Research expects intensification of expansion and renovation work for shore protection in the coming years, for example, at the
But not only increased protection measures need be taken on the coasts; the landlocked countries in
The government of the
IFAT 2008, which will take place in
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