Fingal East Meath Flood Risk Assessment and Management Study

Flood risk management options

Flood risk management options consist of both structural and non structural measures to manage both the fluvial and tidal flood risk. A decision making framework has been developed (flow chart opposite) and used to ensure that the assessment of flood risk management options is evidence-based, transparent and inclusive of stakeholder and public views. The methodology is a nationally agreed approach to the development of flood risk management options.

To ensure the correct focus in determining appropriate flood risk management options, the study area is divided into a number of spatial assessment units:

Catchment scale: in this case the entire FEM FRAM study area (~770 km2);
Analysis Unit (AU) scale: these are large sub-catchments (e.g. Broadmeadow and Ward River catchment) or areas of tidal influence (e.g. Meath and Fingal coastline);
Areas of Potential Significant Risk (APSRs): for this study these are urban areas; and
Individual Risk Receptors (IRRs): these are essential infrastructure assets or environmental sites with significant pollution potential at significant risk of flooding.

The level of flood risk in these spatial assessment units is assessed using the flood maps. Potential flood risk management options for these units will be selected from a range of potential structural and non structural flood risk management measures (i.e. flood forecasting, flood walls, flood embankments and beach recharge). Using a staged option assessment process, the selection of the preferred options will be based on the performance of options in managing the flood risk. This performance will be measured using a scoring system which will test the technical, economic, social and environmental acceptability of potential options at the various spatial scales. Those options with the highest ‘score’ from this process will be taken forward for potential inclusion within the development of Flood Risk Management Plan.