With its subtropical climate and proximity to the coast, Brisbane has always battled the potential for major flooding events. From riverine inundation and storm surges to the intense rainfall that can overwhelm drainage systems – managing flood risks is a top priority.
As plumbing professionals who have worked in Brisbane for over two decades, our team has first-hand experience with the devastating impacts of floods. We’ve also had a front-row seat to the innovative drainage technologies and solutions engineered to protect properties in flood zones.
If you own a home or business in one of Brisbane’s numerous flood hazard areas, here’s a rundown of proven flood mitigation approaches from the experts:
Elevating key utilities and drainage systems
One of the most effective safeguards against rising waters is elevating essential utilities and critical drainage infrastructure. Examples include:
- Raising electrical panels, switches and wiring above flood levels
- Installing elevated sewage ejection systems and backflow valves
- Constructing elevated equipment platforms for sump pumps
- Utilising curb inlets, area drains and catch basins at higher elevations
By strategically elevating drainage systems and equipment above flood levels, you reduce the risk of contamination and ensure continual operation during high water events.
Implementing flood barrier systems
Whether temporary or permanently installed, flood barriers provide a critical line of defence against encroaching waters. Effective options include:
- Removable floodwall panels and flood gates
- Inflatable or water-filled temporary perimeter barriers
- Sandbag walls reinforced with geo-textile fabric
- Permanent levees, berms and elevated landscaping
Barriers can be integrated with drainage systems to create a holistic flood protection solution for homes and businesses in low-lying areas.
Rain gardens and bioretention systems
For properties with space, sustainable rain gardens and bioretention drainage systems offer major flood control benefits by:
- Capturing and temporarily storing runoff during heavy rainfall
- Reducing excess strain on storm drain networks
- Slowly releasing water back into the groundwater system
- Utilising natural vegetation and permeable materials
These green infrastructure solutions mimic natural drainage patterns extremely effectively for flood prevention.
Drain system backflow prevention
When extreme downpours overwhelm drainage networks, sewage backflow becomes a major flood hazard. Plumbing measures to stop this include:
- Installing backwater valves and redundant gate valves
- Positioning drain vents and cleanouts above expected flood levels
- Elevating drain outlets from low-lying areas
- Verifying sufficient slope/pitch of drain lines
Preventing contaminated wastewater from entering properties during floods protects both structures and public health.
Storm water detention and retention systems
Engineered stormwater management systems actively capture excess rain runoff through:
- Buried detention tanks and cisterns to regulate rate of discharge
- Open retention ponds and dry basins to hold excess water volumes
- Integration with drainage systems, pumping stations and relief drains
- Controlled gravity and pump-assisted drainage designs
These systems are sized based on complex hydrological modelling to handle extreme precipitation events in flood zones.
Sump pumps and lift station backup
For areas prone to both pluvial flooding (rainfall) and riverine/coastal inundation, reliable sump pump systems with emergency backup power are critical, including:
- Submersible sump pumps in basements and low-lying areas
- Redundant battery backup sump pump systems
- Municipal stormwater lift stations and ejector pumps
- Portable gas-powered trash pumps for high-volume water removal
Having these pumping and lift station systems in place allows rapid drainage of flood waters before they can accumulate.
Conclusion
With its unique topography and weather patterns, the Brisbane region requires customised flood control drainage solutions. From basic prevention measures to complex engineered systems, our team of veteran plumbers has the expertise to assess your property’s needs.
We’ll design, install and maintain the ideal drainage configurations to maximise flood protection for your home or business based on its specific risk factors and location. With over 20 years of experience, we’ve helped clients across Brisbane implement proven flood mitigation strategies – ensuring you never have to go through the nightmare of severe flood damage again.
