Industrial and commercial businesses – including those potentially affected by the AwSV (Ordinance on Installations for Handling Substances Hazardous to Water) – are cordially invited to attend an event on two possible dates to learn about the topics of heavy rain and flash floods as well as the potential flooding situation caused by heavy rain.
In Blieskastel and also in the rest of Saarland, the last summer and early February this year were heavily influenced by severe weather warnings and flooding caused by heavy rain. Such events are increasingly occurring throughout Germany at the moment. Heavy rainfall events can lead to flash floods with sometimes devastating consequences: for example, waterlogged basements, backed-up buildings, flooded streets, overflowing sewers, or erosion of the surrounding agricultural areas.
For industrial and commercial enterprises classified under the AwSV, there is an even greater risk, as the AwS regulation was created to ensure public health and to enhance soil and water protection.
In contrast to river flooding, a heavy rain event can affect anyone through floods or flash floods, as the water flows independently of bodies of water. Due to the difficulty of accurately predicting these events, an early assessment of the principal risk situation is essential, so that preventive measures can be taken in advance. For this reason, the city of Blieskastel commissioned the preparation of a heavy rain preparedness concept by itp Ingenieur GmbH in spring 2020 and already held citizen information events in summer 2021.
In the summer of 2020, work on the project began, after which, following the processing of the base data and a rough flow path analysis in November and December 2020, several site inspections to assess critical areas were conducted by itp Ingenieur GmbH together with relevant representatives of the city (representatives of the city administration, fire department, public works, local councilors). Subsequently, hydrodynamic 2D simulations were carried out and heavy rain hazard maps for the entire city area were created. These were handed over to the city for validation at the beginning of February 2021. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, several public appointments had to be postponed, and further work initially focused on developing the catalog of measures. Since the current COVID infection situation now allows public events, the city of Blieskastel would like to invite all businesses to informational events, divided into two sessions. The aim is to raise awareness among the economic actors of the city regarding the dangers posed by extreme weather events, so that appropriate precautionary measures can subsequently be taken.
But what exactly does a heavy rain hazard concept include?
The basis is formed by the heavy rainfall hazard maps. These are calculated using topographical data and show the areas of flooding, depths, and flow velocities for a given precipitation event. Risk assessments regarding the vulnerability of the building and the flooding situation are carried out for individual public buildings. In the area of private property, according to §5 WHG, there is a general duty of care and the individual responsibility of those affected to take appropriate precautionary measures within the scope of what is possible and reasonable.
For AwSV commercial properties, the requirements for handling water-hazardous substances and the applicable obligations that operators must implement apply according to the legal basis of § 62 para. 4 WHG.
The city offers industrial and commercial enterprises the opportunity to inform themselves about their own situation through the planned information events and to carry out a precise deficit analysis for their location regarding the topics of heavy rain and flood prevention.
After the creation of the heavy rainfall hazard maps, the risk assessment, and the public relations work, a course of action is currently being developed to better respond to future heavy rainfall events and mitigate critical areas.
This event offers companies in Blieskastel the opportunity to learn about the topic of heavy rain and flash floods as well as the potential flooding situation caused by heavy rain. Each of the planned events is intended to last a maximum of two hours.
In addition to a general introduction to the topic of heavy rainfall, the heavy rainfall hazard maps calculated by itp Ingenieur GmbH as well as the dangers of heavy rainfall and their impacts are presented.
A discussion following the lecture additionally gives the company leaders the opportunity to raise and discuss further questions.
You could also be affected by flash floods during heavy rain! Inform yourself about the dangers of heavy rain and the situation at your location or neighborhood using the existing Prezi presentations created by itp Ingenieur GmbH at this link https://prezi.com/view/7sGu0fHhC3MjqaEKSH3j/ or https://www.blieskastel.de/aktuelles-veranstaltungen/hochwasser-vorsorge-konzept/.
Event Dates:
The requirement for participation is compliance with the current corona regulations and a prior registration.
Register by email at abwasserwerk@blieskastel.de or by phone at the numbers 06842/926-1251 or 06842/926-1213
