In 2017, at Flood Protection Solutions Ltd we donated a Tsurumi LSC1.4S Puddle Pump to Botcherby Community Centre as a contribution to the Cumbria Flood Resilience Showcase Project, led by Mary Dhonau OBE.
The initiative aims to showcase property flood resilience measures that can be used by residents and businesses. Carlisle was chosen following severe flooding in 2005 and 2015. The community centre was significantly impacted by flooding, with much of the kitchen destroyed and requiring a full restoration and resilience upgrade. If all community buildings were similarly protected, it would contribute to faster recovery of communities and the vital resources they provide.
A Puddle Pump is a vital component of the community centre’s flood mitigation strategy. The flood resistance measures are designed to minimise the water ingress into the property; however, it is accepted that some water will still enter the property.
The puddle pump (otherwise known as a puddle sucker) is a submersible pump designed to efficiently and effectively remove low levels of water from flat surfaces. Puddle pumps can pump down to very low levels, which makes them ideal for handling standing water such as seepage after heavy rainfall or flood events. Puddle pumps can also be used around buildings to quickly pump away water that might otherwise enter properties.
In this instance the pump would be placed on the floor internally, with the hose deployed to discharge out of a window. For a more robust setup, a fixed hose could be installed, however this would limit the ability to relocate the pump depending on ingress areas.
The FPS donated puddle pump at Botcherby Community Centre forms part of a wider package of measures, known as Property Flood Resilience or PFR. These include Flood Barriers, flood resistant windows, repointing, tanking, and non-return valves, all designed to help keep the floodwater out.
The property will not be 100% watertight, and so whilst there have been various Flood Resistance measures implemented, Flood Recoverability has also been recovered should water still enter. There are various recoverability measures including water resilient plaster, and a waterproof kitchen, allowing the community centre to resume full functionality as soon as possible after any future flooding. The innovative kitchen, which was rebuilt using flood-resistant materials, is a prime example of the value of such property-level resilience.
The Cumbria Flood Resilience Showcase Project has illustrated that a positive attitude to flood management that includes innovative products such as puddle pumps is the way forward to protecting the community and minimising the impact of future flooding.
Flood Protection Solutions Ltd is delighted to have been able to assist the community in building flood resilience to ensure a safer and more secure environment for residents and businesses.
If you wish to read further about the project, you can download the PDF here: Cumbria Flood Resilience Showcase Project
Below, you'll be able to watch a video where Mary Dhonau OBE, often known as "FloodMary" discusses the project with Simon Crowther of floodandwaterpumps.co.uk
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