A smart monitoring system is helping support teams to clear culvert blockages and reduce flood risk in Maesteg, Wales.

Situation

Maesteg in Bridgend, Wales, is situated in a hilly catchment area that is prone to flash flooding—a situation that is exacerbated by fly tipping. 

Problem

Heavy rain washing debris into culverts was causing flooding that blocked roads and damaged homes and businesses. Bridgend County Borough Council needed a way to identify flood risks and monitor culverts in order to warn residents and dispatch flood response teams. 

Solution

The Hydro International consulting team conducted a site survey, designed and installed a Smart Monitoring system to meet the council's needs. The team used Impress pressure sensors with Hydro-Logic® Flexi Loggers, and connected the network to the Hydro-Logic® Timeview telemetry platform. 

Outcome

The installation was completed in March 2017, and the network is providing support teams with early warning of flood risks and culvert blockages. In a Bridgend County Borough Council statement Councillor Richard Young alluded to the part that the network had played in improving responsiveness. 

A schedule of regular culvert inspections is already in place and the council carries out additional checks when severe weather has been forecast. The [council’s] annual flooding report has also highlighted that in many cases during last year’s severe weather, swift intervention by the council’s highways team prevented water from entering a number of properties throughout the county borough.

—Councillor Richard Young