New! Job Vacancies at Enzygo

Enzygo are looking to recruit two new team members. If you would like to work as part of a consultancy click the links below to find out information about the following positions;

Senior/Associate Hydrologist

Assistant/Graduate Landscape Architect

Enzygo Release Development Value

Enzygo have helped secure planning consent for a large basement development at Cranfield Gardens, Camden despite opposition from local residents. We undertook a Basement Impact Assessment for the scheme covering geotechnical, hydrogeological and flood risk assessments. Working closely with the structural engineer and architect Enzygo presented the findings at the planning committee meeting and helped secure the client consent for the scheme which will significantly increase the value of the client’s property. Planning consent was successfully obtained despite local residents objecting to all new basement constructions in the area.

A1 Leeming to Barton Improvements

Following the successful implementation of the A1 Darrington to Dishforth [A1DBFO] and the A1 Dishforth to Leeming [A1D2L] improvement schemes Enzygo are now providing specialist pedestrian, equestrian, cyclist and landscape architecture advice to AECOM on the remaining section of the A1 Dishforth to Barton [A1L2B] scheme following the Chancellor of the Exchequers Autumn Statement to Parliament announcing the decision to proceed with the project in December 2012.

For further information please contact Paul W Beswick in the Sheffield Office.

Consultant / Senior Hydrologist Vacancy

 

We are looking for someone to complement the existing Hydrology and Flood Risk Team and assist in the development of Enzygo’s hydrology and flood risk capabilities, across all sectors.

Enzygo is a specialist environmental consultancy with established experience and a clear understanding of the elements required for the delivery of all forms of development. Enzygo specializes in hydrology, flood risk, landscape, ecology, noise assessments, contaminated land, waste contract procurement, waste treatment technologies, property and site selection/ assessment, waste and mineral planning, permitting and environmental impact assessment co-ordination.

 

Relevant experience should include:

• Working knowledge of the NPPF and TAN15, undertaking sequential tests.
• Experience in preparing flood risk assessments for a range of developments
• Drainage assessments (including appreciation of sustainable urban drainage systems)
• Knowledge of hydraulic modelling specifically HEC-RAS; ISIS, MIKE 21; WinDes
• Consultancy experience in a flood risk role
• Preparation of proposals
• Good report writing and communication skills
• Consultation, liaison and negotiation with the regulators
• Client and Project Management

More information about the position can be found at http://www.enzygo.com/vac_hydrologist.html. 

 

If you are interested in this position you can contact me at keelan.serjeant@enzygo.com or on 0114 290 3677.

 

Summer Flooding on the Cards Again

The recent flooding in July 2012 brings memories back to people on sheffield and around the country of the 2007 floods. With flood alerts and warnings becomming more common.

As i write this blog the Met Office has issued a yellow warning for rain. As i look at the statistics from our local rain gauge we have had 85mm of rain in Sheffield for July, with an annual 666mm so far.

If I compare this to the 2007 event where we saw 70.6mm of rain fell on the 25th June, this year on th 6th July we had 37mm of rainfall, so although people were concerned about flooding we didnt recieve the same level of rainfall.

Yet we saw a lot of overland flow flooding like in the photograph opposite,may people dont realise that sewers are only designed for a 30year event. This type of flooding quite often floods properties before riviers burst their banks, as a river takes some time to respond to flooding, where as local drainage systems can respind quicker to intense rainfall due to their smaller catchment areas.

What many people havent realised it is that in the UK our flood zones are very well mapped. We know the areas which will flood and at what thresholds these flooding events occur.

The flood map to the right is a screen grab from the Environment Agency's website. The dark blue is the 100year floodplain which is where the risk of flooding is 1% in any one year. Whereas the light blue is the 1 in 1000 year flood envelope where there is a 0.1% change of flooding in any one year.

This is accessible from the Environment Agency and you can look at your flood risk on the following link http://maps.environment-agency.gov.uk/wiyby/wiybyController?ep=maptopics&lang=_e

Flood Risk and Warning Codes Change

Flood Risk and Flood Warning

The flood warning codes issued by the Environment Agency for England and Wales were recently updated. The changes make the service easier to understand and help you respond in a flood. Environment Agency staff monitor rainfall, river levels and sea conditions 24 hours a day and use this information to forecast the possibility of flooding.

Flood Warning Codes

Flood Alert - this replaces the Flood Watch. Indicates that flooding is possible and that people should make simple preparations (e.g. check that domestic flood gates/boards are ready to be put in place, move small valuable items upstairs, check travel plans) and remain vigilant.

Flood Warning - means that flooding is expected and that you should take immediate action (e.g. move/raise belongings, put in place flood boards, move to places of safety). You should take action when a flood warning is issued and not wait for a severe flood warning.

Severe Flood Warning - means that there is severe flooding and danger to life. These are issued when flooding is posing significant risk to life or disruption to communities.

Flood Warning and Evacuation Plan

Enzygo can developed a Flood Warning and Evacuation Plan (FWEP) for businesses and homes. The FWEP formalises flood warning and evacuation procedures based on the Environment Agency flood warning codes. The FWEP will set out the flood risk of site, identifies the roles and responsibilities of indviduals and organisations, provides details of the flood warning codes and flood actions and provides contact details.

The Environment Agency seeks to provide a flood warning service in all areas at risk of flooding. The flood warnings are disseminated through a variety of mediums that include TV, radio, an automated voice messaging service direct to a phone/fax/pager, the Internet and/or loudhailer. There is also an emergency Floodline number (0845 988 1188) and a quick dial number for individual rivers.

The FWEP is a ‘living’ document and therefore should be periodically reviewed and updated to provide advice and guidance to staff, occupants and visitors in the event of an extreme flood. The FWEP is intended to provide action points to protect property and allow early, safe evacuation from this site.

The FWEP will include the following:

• The responsibilities of individual and organisations
• Safe Exit Route
• Flood Warning Notice
• Flood Procedures

The FWEP will reduce the vulnerability of the staff, visitors and residnets to flooding and will make them aware of the mechanisms of flooding at the site. The FWEP will help manage and mitigate the affects of flooding.

Enzygo has provided flood risk advice to clients throughout the UK including Flood Risk Assessments, Flood Risk Modelling, Drainage Assessments, Business Continuity Flood Assessments, Hydrological Studies and help with the Sequential/Exception Tests.

For More Information Contact: matt.travis@enzygo.com

Flooding and Climate Change
Climate Change

Climate change should and is assessed as part of Flood Risk Assessments by Enzygo as predictions of climate change for the UK show the following:

Generally winters will be wetter

• Winter rainfall may increase by up to 15% in the 2050s and by up to 30% in the 2080s for some regions of the UK. 
• More rainfall is likely to fall in extreme events. 

Sea Level Rise

The rise in sea level will change the frequency of high water levels. For example, the current 1 in 100 year highwater mark on the east coast of England may be expected to be exceeded every 20 years on average by 2050. 

Existing and proposed development in floodplains are at risk of increased flooded due to climate change. Existing and proposed development currently not in floodplains may be at risk of flooding due to climate change. Developments can also increase the risk of flooding elsewhere by reducing the storage capacity of the floodplain and/or the flow of flood water. Floods, and flood prevention works, can affect wildlife and amenity value.

National policy

There is comprehensive Government guidance on flooding, climate change and land use planning:

• England: PPG25 Development and Flood Risk; PPG20 Coastal Planning 
• Wales: Planning Policy Wales Ch. 13; TAN15 Development and Flood Risk 
• Scotland: SPP Planning and Flooding with supplementary advice in PAN69 Planning and Building Standards Advice on Flooding (2004) 

Flooding During 2007 in Stocksbridge, Sheffield

Floodplain mapping

England and Wales: The Environment Agency provides information on flooding to local authorities under Sec 105(2) of the Water Resources Act 1991. Indicative floodplain maps show the extent of the floodplain that may be vulnerable to flooding from rivers or the sea. It should be noted that these maps do not take account of expected changes in flood risk resulting from climate change impacts.

2D animation of the impacts of climate change on flood defences

Planning for flooding: climate change

Flood risk is a material planning consideration. Local planning authorities can guide and control development so as to reduce the country’s vulnerability to floods. Avoiding the need to provide further flood defences is desirable. The Environment Agency/SEPA are statutory consultees (or, in Wales, consultees on all UDPs) and hold information identifying most of the areas known to be currently at risk. However, climate change and its affect on flooding needs to be taken into account when planning for flooding. Enzygo can provide information on this and can assess the likely impact of climate change and developments. Climate change should be taken into account when deciding whether to permit development.

Further information can be found at http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/planningandbuilding/pdf/147597.pdf.