Some households, businesses and schools are now eligible to have a water butt or rain water planter installed free of charge, as a part of a new project to reduce the risk of surface water flooding in Norwich.

Both can reduce the risk of flooding: water butts store the rain water whilst planters slow the speed of rainfall entering drains, as it has to pass through the pipes within the planter.

The initiative comes after flash floods in 2014 saw traffic to come to a standstill and streets to fill with water. Speaking to the BBC, Hawthorne Avenue resident Stacey Connerty, whose street was flooded, said the problem “arises every time there is heavy rain” and despite repeated requests for the highways and councils to remedy the situation, “to date nothing has been done.”

The project is funded by Anglian Water and the Interreg European Union CATCH’s flood reduction and climate change project, and includes Norwich City Council, Broadland District Council and the Environment Agency.

Lead Infrastructure Planner at Anglian Water, Andy Bird, said the benefits of the scheme are that it is “far less disruptive than laying a bigger sewer” and “deliver the best possible outcomes for our customers and the environment in a cost-effective way.”

According to the UK Climate Change Risk Assessment 2017, flooding is one of the main risks communities in Norwich face from the effects of climate change.

Councillor and Chair of Norfolk County Council’s Environment, Development and Transport Committee, Martin Wilby, says as well as damaging property and belongings, flooding can be “hugely traumatic and stressful”. He added the Council have a responsibility to consider the causes and help prevent further flooding, aiming to improve flood resilience “without causing disruption to communities, homes and infrastructure.” Rain water planters in particular fulfil this requirement, as they also attract wildlife and maintain the plants within it.

The main areas eligible for a free water butt or rain water planter include Catton Grove, Nelson and Town Close. A map of the eligible areas and more information can be found at www.norfolk.gov.uk/catchproject.

Frances Butler