- enquiries@waterco.co.uk
- Contact
Rhyl and Prestatyn, neighbouring towns on the North Wales coast, have long faced intermittent surface water flooding due to their location on former sea marshes and organic urban expansion.
Following significant flood events in 2016 and 2017, Denbighshire County Council (DCC) secured Welsh Government funding to investigate catchment-wide flood risks and develop mitigation strategies.
DCC, in partnership with Waterco Ltd and key Risk Management Authorities (NRW, DCWW, Network Rail), undertook a comprehensive assessment, including desktop studies, site visits, CCTV and topographical surveys.
Initial stakeholder engagement identified 55 flood risk hotspots, which were grouped and refined into 14 Priority Areas of Interest (AoIs) for detailed study. The team combined asset data, flood history, and high-level hydraulic modelling to quantify risks and evaluate interventions.
The methodology included GIS analysis, stakeholder workshops, and economic appraisal using the Welsh Government’s Rapid Assessment of Damages Toolkit.
For each AoI, a range of interventions was considered, from minimal (water butts) to full (rain gardens, permeable paving, swales). Sustainable drainage solutions (SuDS) were prioritised.
Five AoIs demonstrated a positive benefit-cost ratio and were recommended for capital investment and detailed design. Other areas were assigned revenue-funded resilience measures and ongoing maintenance.
The programme delivers a five-year investment plan targeting both capital works and minor improvements. Outcomes include reduced flood risk for the most vulnerable areas, improved collaboration among authorities, and enhanced community resilience.
The scheme aligns with Denbighshire County Council’s water management policies and Welsh Water’s strategic objectives, prioritising sustainable, cost-effective solutions and ongoing stakeholder engagement.
Our Work
