Joyce Watson AM has written to councils across Mid and West Wales to find out what they are doing to prevent flooding through the use of surface water drainage systems.
JOYCE WATSON AM said:
"Flooding causes misery, with a vast financial and emotional cost. These permeable surfaces are cost-effective and could make a huge difference to the risk of flooding. I am determined to see effective action across Mid and West Wales to maximise their use."
Her letter says:-
'I am writing to request information on what the Council is doing to promote natural ‘Surface Water Drainage Systems’ with regard to the issue of flooding.
Flooding has for a long time affected many parts of the UK, particularly at this time of the year. The Environment Agency states that the serious flooding in 2007, which affected most of the UK, resulted in loss of life, disruption of peoples’ lives and caused damage estimated at about £3bn.
In many cases drains could not cope with the amount of rain water flowing to them. The Agency makes clear that, while paving over one or two gardens may not seem to make a difference, the combined effect of lots of people in a street or area doing this can increase the risk of flooding.
There are other consequences of paving over front gardens without using permeable surfaces. Hard surfaces such as concrete and asphalt collect pollution (oil, petrol, brake dust, etc) that is washed off into the drains. Many drains carry rainwater directly to streams or rivers where the pollution damages wildlife and the wider environment.
I would like to find out the Council’s position on this issue, and what the Council is doing in adopting sustainable drainage solutions for new housing and other developments. This includes any initiatives, planning laws currently in place or planning permissions (if any) required by householders/developers before paving over, for example, front gardens to create parking spaces.'
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