Neil Robinson-Welsh from ACO building drainage
The increasing shortage of water in Great Britain has dramatically increased the need for inventive water management solutions. A potential answer to the dilemma are blue roofs that represent a sustainable method to treat rainwater and reduction of the sewage system. Here Neill Robinson-Welsh, consultant at ACO Building Drainage, analyzes the effects of blue roofs on the adaptation of water shortages.
In contrast to conventional roofs that drain water quickly, blue roofs are modern drainage systems that temporarily hold rainwater and slowly release it. These systems help to cope with the rainwater outflow, especially in dense urban environments, which reduces the risk of flooding and reducing the load on sewage systems. This is a particularly important feature because climate change further increases the amount of rainwater and urban areas.
Blue roofs also play a crucial role in improving the resilience of the urban climate by reducing the risk of fall floods and alleviating the effects of the drought. In combination with green roofs, which help to combat the rainwater with the help of blue roofs to combat the municipal Heat Island effect, offer cooling advantages and improve environmental conditions in cities.
The British water shortage crisis
Forecasts suggest that the water requirement will surpass the offer by mid -2030, unless significant infrastructure improvements are made. Since the privatization of the water services in 1989, the sub -investment has badly prepared the British water infrastructure in order to satisfy the increasing demand and appropriately manage rainwater.
In 2024, urban wastewater systems were often overwhelmed in strong rainfall, which led to combined wastewater overflows (CSOS), in which untreated waste water was spilled in rivers and seas. The ability of a blue roof to keep rainwater on site and gradually release it can reduce the water volume, which occurs in already stressed sewer. This in turn helps prevent CSOS and environmental damage and to offer a sustainable solution to the growing problem of overloading the sewage system.
The unlocking of blue roof advantages
In addition to the administration of rainwater, blue roofs support the efforts of water protection. Captured rainwater can be used for irrigation, which is particularly important in view of the increasing lack of water. This reuse of rainwater minimizes the dependence on conventional water supply and promotes self -sufficiency for buildings. In order for blue roofs to work effectively, they must be meticulously designed and seamlessly integrated. Here engineers, applications, contractors and architects play an important role in the proper implementation of the systems into the urban infrastructure of the UK.
Other important considerations are the positioning of sockets, the inclination of the roof and the selection of suitable damping systems.
ACO currently offers a solution that is intentionally developed for the operation regardless of the waterproof and drainage infrastructure of the roof in order to enable precise water storage management. The modular design of ACO Roofbloxx enables easy maintenance and also offers reliable performance over time even under storm conditions.
This system also fully corresponds to the building regulations and enables roofs to efficiently manage rainwater and at the same time improve the general resilience of the structure.