Flood Readiness Strengthened with Pump Rental

The growing threat of flooding across the UK is prompting local authorities, utilities and businesses to rethink how they prepare for storms and intense rainfall, writes Guy Fitzpatrick, Director Sales & Service, Water Solutions and Services, Xylem UK & Ireland.

Environment Agency data shows that 6.3 million properties in England are at risk of flooding from rivers, the sea or surface water. With climate change, this figure could rise to around 8 million by the middle of the century, equivalent to around one in four properties.

Climate projections also point to wetter winters and hotter, drier summers, as the UK recently experienced, with periods of increasingly intense rainfall adding further pressure to existing drainage and flood management infrastructure.

For organisations responsible for managing flood response, as well as those operating in areas at risk of flooding, this changing environment means preparation is becoming increasingly important. Rather than relying solely on emergency measures once flooding has already occurred, organisations are starting to adopt a readiness-based approach that includes working with suppliers who can provide the equipment, expertise and support needed for forward planning.

For pump rental, this means engaging with suppliers well in advance to establish potential at-risk locations and likely volumes of water, along with suitable discharge points for pumped water.

Such assessments would identify the required pump models and pipework, as well as precisely where equipment could be installed. They would also consider power requirements, transport routes and access needs, which can be particularly important on constrained sites and in rural areas where narrow roads, low bridges or difficult terrain can restrict the movement of large pumping equipment.

Understanding these finer details in advance strengthens safety and resilience and can make a significant difference when it comes to mobilising a rapid response as severe weather hits.

Having an agreed plan also means organisations are better placed to make informed decisions when conditions deteriorate. Instead of determining equipment requirements, access arrangements and pumping locations during an unfolding flood event, these factors can be assessed and prepared in advance.

Leading technology and expertise

Having the option to rent floodwater pumping systems means organisations can prepare for a range of potential scenarios without having to purchase, store and set up complex pumping equipment themselves.

As an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of pump technology, including the leading Godwin and Flygt brands, Xylem has supported local authorities, government departments and private companies with flood alleviation for decades.

Xylem’s UK & Ireland rental service provides best-in-class mobile pumping equipment, including Godwin Dri-Prime pumps and Flygt submersibles, at depots across the UK & Ireland so systems can be quickly deployed when required.

For organisations responsible for flood response, access to a fleet of mobile pumps provides an additional level of flexibility. Pumping requirements can vary significantly depending on the location, scale and severity of a flood event, meaning the equipment required for one incident may be very different from that needed for another.

Xylem is responsible for testing and maintaining its rental fleet, giving customers confidence that equipment is primed and ready to operate when it is needed.

This preparation is particularly important during severe weather events when demand for emergency pumping equipment can increase rapidly. Having equipment available through an established rental network can help organisations respond without having to maintain their own fleet of specialist pumps throughout the year.

As well as having access to the latest technology, customers who rent from Xylem also have access to the company’s specialist pump engineering expertise. As an OEM, Xylem designs and builds its own equipment and its team of engineers has extensive knowledge of which products and systems work best, given individual sites and conditions.

This expertise can be particularly valuable when developing a flood preparedness plan. Pump selection needs to take account of factors such as flow requirements, pumping distances, discharge arrangements, site access and available power. Choosing the appropriate pump and pipework configuration in advance can help reduce delays when equipment needs to be deployed.

Flood risk is highly variable, so renting also provides flexibility. Organisations can access different equipment depending on the type and scale of the event, keeping it in place for as long as it is needed.

This approach can also help organisations avoid the cost and logistical requirements associated with purchasing and storing specialist floodwater pumps that may only be required during extreme weather events.

Digital remote monitoring

The ability to monitor pumps remotely is increasingly valued by customers. Xylem’s Flygt and Godwin mobile fleet has remote telemetry and monitoring, offering complete visibility at all times.

This includes Xylem’s Field Smart Technology, an advanced cloud-based telemetry system that allows users to monitor and control pumps from a smartphone, without having to be onsite, which has significant logistical and health and safety benefits.

Remote pump monitoring can provide valuable information about equipment performance and operating conditions without requiring personnel to remain at the pumping location. This can be particularly useful during severe weather when conditions at flood sites may be hazardous or difficult to access.

For organisations managing multiple pumping locations, remote telemetry can also provide greater visibility across operations. Information from pumping equipment can help teams understand what is happening at individual sites and identify where intervention may be required.

Reducing the need for personnel to make unnecessary visits to pumping locations can also provide health and safety benefits, particularly when sites are affected by floodwater, poor weather or restricted access.

As digital technologies become increasingly integrated into industrial and infrastructure applications, remote monitoring is becoming an important part of modern pump management. For flood response, it can complement physical pumping capability by giving teams greater oversight of equipment once it has been deployed.

Demonstrating readiness

Major flood events are often followed by an incident review, where operations teams, management and stakeholders discuss what went well, what did not and what could be done differently next time.

Having a readiness plan that includes pump deployment can help organisations demonstrate they have robust processes in place to respond to such events.

For local authorities and utilities in particular, this can play an important role in maintaining customer confidence and can help protect reputation.

A well-developed flood preparedness plan can demonstrate that potential risks have been identified and that measures are in place to address them. This can include identifying vulnerable locations, establishing likely pumping requirements, confirming access arrangements and understanding where water can be safely discharged.

Planning also allows organisations to identify potential challenges before an emergency occurs. Issues such as limited access, insufficient power supplies, long pumping distances or unsuitable discharge points can potentially be addressed before severe weather arrives.

The ability to demonstrate this level of preparation can be valuable when reviewing an incident and assessing the effectiveness of an organisation’s response.

For utilities and local authorities responsible for essential services, effective flood response is particularly important because disruption can affect large numbers of customers and communities. Having access to appropriate pumping equipment and specialist support can form an important part of wider business continuity and resilience planning.

Try-before-you-buy

For organisations considering investing in their own pump assets, renting equipment gives the opportunity to try-before-you-buy.

This can be particularly useful where organisations are assessing the most appropriate pumping technology for their specific operating environment. Rather than making an immediate capital investment, rental allows equipment to be used in practical conditions so its suitability can be assessed.

When the time is right for capital investment, Xylem can replace the rented equipment with permanent new assets and a system that users are already familiar with and have confidence in, along with offering a scheduled maintenance service and 24/7 breakdown attendance and support.

This approach can provide a pathway from short-term emergency pumping requirements to longer-term flood resilience investment. Organisations can gain practical experience with pumping technology before deciding which equipment and configuration best meets their operational requirements.

It can also help establish familiarity among operational teams, who may already understand how the equipment operates by the time permanent assets are installed.

Planning for a more resilient future

As flood risk continues to evolve, preparation is becoming an increasingly important part of managing the impact of extreme weather.

For organisations responsible for infrastructure, utilities and public services, flood preparedness is not simply about having access to a pump when water levels rise. It involves understanding where flooding could occur, how much water may need to be moved, where it can be discharged and what equipment, access and power arrangements will be required.

Pump rental can provide a flexible way of addressing these requirements, giving organisations access to specialist mobile pumping equipment without the need to purchase and maintain a complete emergency fleet.

Combined with engineering expertise, equipment maintenance and remote monitoring technology, rental services can form an important part of a wider flood resilience strategy.

Being able to respond quickly, with the right equipment and support from trusted suppliers, can make a big difference to communities and companies impacted by flooding.

Xylem’s rental engineers are ready to talk to you about your flood readiness and help identify the equipment and support you may need.

To find out more about Xylem’s pump rental and water solutions, visit Xylem UK & Ireland.