How well is your home protected against heavy rain? A new, interactive map from the Brussels Environment agency provides a detailed overview of flood risks and offers tips on how to protect your basement.
The interactive map allows you to zoom in on your own home. It is an update of the previous map, adapted to the latest European requirements. From the new flood map, you are directed to solutions and tools to tackle issues such as water in the cellar.
Solutions in your own home often do not involve major structural work but rather changes that can sometimes tackle major concerns even on a small budget, says Brussels Environment. These range from sandbags that can be placed in front of windows when a warning is issued, to more professional flood barriers, and preventative modifications such as installing a speed bump at the top of the garage ramp.
Valley areas
In the Brussels Region, it is primarily the lower-lying valley areas that are vulnerable to flooding: examples include the Senne Valley, Molenbeek Valley, Maalbeek Valley and Woluwe Valley. However, certain areas where large amounts of rainwater runoff converges are also at risk.
The greatest risk of flooding stems from sewage backing up into basements. Nearly one in three Brussels residents may be affected by this during heavy rainfall or storms.
In the event of a highly exceptional downpour, which might occur once every 1,000 years, one in five Brussels residents could be at risk of being affected by flooding. In the case of a downpour with a moderate probability of occurring once every 100 years, the risk of flooding affects one in 12 Brussels residents.
Stormwater Basins
Preventive action is essential to improve the quality of life in the city, says Brussels Secretary of State for the Environment, Climate and Urban Regeneration Ans Persoons (Flemish socialist Vooruit): “There are many measures we are already taking that are making a difference: rainwater must be disconnected from the sewerage network in new-build projects. And we are removing hard surfaces wherever we can, so that water can infiltrate on site. Water management, production and distribution company Vivaqua is currently building another new stormwater retention basin in Watermaal-Bosvoorde.”
Measures such as disconnecting rainwater and further reducing hard surfaces form part of the integrated rainwater management plan promoted by Brussels Environment. In addition, Vivaqua’s 33 storm basins also play an important role. From 1 January, Vivaqua will also take over the management of a further five storm basins, which are being transferred from Hydria (the former Brussels Water Management Company).
“Following this summer’s heatwaves, we are preparing for an autumn of heavy rain and stormy weather. We want to equip Brussels and its residents as well as possible to cope with the effects of climate change. The tool offers simple tips that can make a difference quickly and without costly interventions. We must do everything we can to prevent rainwater from entering the sewer system,” Persoons concludes.