After the extensive floods seen in cities all across the world over the past twelve months, cities are being urged to improve drainage systems to ensure that the same problems are not encountered time and time again.
Unfortunately, knowing whose responsibility this is will not always be clear, and whether governments should instigate improvements or whether individual councils or even the business community as a whole should be the ones putting their hands in their pockets may not be easy to judge.
The best solution will be for cities to ascertain where the key problem areas are and to work with businesses to resolve drainage issues. After all, if one area of poor drainage is having a serious affect on the region as a whole, it will be important that ineffective or unsuitable solutions are replaced.
The initial cost of replacing water drainage in an entire area may seem huge, but in the long run, avoiding floods will save cities a fortune and help them avoid many serious problems, especially as weather patterns are predicted to become even more volatile over the coming years.
Certain countries and regions have made these changes mandatory, with some insisting that all relevant work begins by the end of next year. With many individuals being killed each year in floods, the investment is not just an economically beneficial one, but one that may also help to save many lives.
With last summer being one of the wettest on record, British cities may need to take steps as much as any other country, and should councils reach down deep and find reserves to make these changes, they will prosper considerably in the long run.
