Discussion at last week's joint ICE/CIWEM flooding and water conference in Leeds has resulted in broad agreement on the urgent need for wider collaboration on flooding. 

Photo - CIWEM branch rep. Dr. Richard Crowder and ICE Yorkshire and Humber chair Chris Campbell 

The conference is held annually by the Institution of Civil Engineers and Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management, featuring representatives from major organisations such as Yorkshire Water, the Environment Agency, as well as private companies and local authority groups from across Yorkshire and the Humber.

CIWEM Branch Rep Dr. Richard Crowder and ICE Yorkshire and Humber Chair Chris Campbell agree institutional collaboration key to alleviating flood issues in the region.

Image caption: Time to stop the silos - CIWEM branch rep. Dr. Richard Crowder and ICE Yorkshire and Humber chair Chris Campbell agree insitutional collaboration could be key to supporting improved flooding response.

Delegates agreed that regional flooding issues demand a new approach to prevent further disruption to public life and habitats, focusing on catchments to help visualise the movement of water through the region.

This connected action, they said, must be supported by engagement at the government level, with improved financial mechanisms to support improved inter-organisational relationships.

The conference reached consensus that public and private organisations must take urgent action to collaborate on flood prevention and resilience both with each other and local communities.

It was highlighted that data sharing between organisations and facilitating public engagement in flood defence and alleviation present major barriers to flood action.

Extensive consultation of communities at risk of flooding or positioned upstream from high risk zones must be conducted to ensure that local needs are adequately addressed, stated one local government partnership representative.

Regional representatives from both the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) and the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) agreed that there is a pressing need for a collaborative approach between institutions, organisations, and public authorities to ensure improved flood response and planning.

Experts at the conference agreed that the interconnectedness of the water system with public health and the environment requires a connected approach that considers wildlife protection and local communities, resulting in broad advocacy for nature-based solutions that provide community spaces and habitats.

Steena Nasapen-Watson, Regional Director for the Institution of Civil Engineers Yorkshire and Humber, said:

“On the day, we were reminded once more of the harsh reality of the impacts of climate change affecting our daily lives in Yorkshire and Humber. The conversations ranged from food security, to water quality issues, to having too much water and to not having enough. The combined experience and expertise of over 150 delegates in the room was both exhilarating and daunting, as a reminder of the need to continue growing this expertise by working collaboratively and learning from each other. There was a real drive to break down silos and encourace policy makers to engage with successful local events like the conference. We are keen to consider this for next year’s event.”