Rain gardens are small-scale vegetated gardens used for storage and infiltration. They are typically applied at a property level and close to buildings, for example to capture and infiltrate roof drainage. They use a range of components, typically incorporated into the garden landscape design as appropriate. Under the vegetation layer is a filter bed substrate…
Easily understandable and accessible information is important to raise flood risk awareness and support the implementation of private risk reduction measures. It can be made available as reading materials, for example in print products (handbooks, guidelines, brochures, flyers) or on online platforms. The products should be tailored to a specific target group, e.g. citizens, homeowners,…
Because of their retention effect and because they protect slopes from erosion, forests reduce surface water runoff and sediment transport. Forest management should be adapted to suit the specific needs of vulnerable objects further down the slope. Large-scale logging operations, for example, need to be avoided. Forest composition should be managed to achieve a water…
Surface runoff at meadows and pastures is attenuated compared to land under arable crops. Thus, a high proportion of meadows and pastures increases the retention capacity of agricultural used land and reduces the surface runoff. Therefore, the preservation of existing meadows against cultivation of crops or building activities especially in head water areas, on slopes,…
Potentially affected persons – esp. property owners – have to take personal provisions. However, establishment and maintenance of private protection structures is challenging and often not done on a regular basis. Authorities should promote and stipulate appropriate property protection measures at least by provision of information on web sites and written material.
If water cannot (or can only insufficiently) be prevented from entering the building, predefined flow routes in the building may help to minimise the damage. Ideally, provisions should be made for relief openings in the building to ensure that the water can flow away.
