Georgetown needs urban model of drainage system – Dutch Engineers

Jul 20, 2016 News

The Dutch Risk Reduction Team (DRR) which was engaged last October to advise on the drainage system in Georgetown and the low-lying coastland has suggested that the Government of Guyana should have an “Urban Drainage Model for Georgetown (UDMG).”
According to the report published by the DRR, the advantages of having such a model would allow engineers to have a comprehensive understanding of the flow of water through the primary and secondary channels; interconnecting culverts, tunnels and sluices/pumps.
Further, the report said “the UDMG can also be used to find the current “weakest spots” where the discharge capacity of water is reduced.” This can be done in locations such as bridges, tunnels or non-streamlined channel bends, according to the DRR.
The engineering experts said the model will allow for the drainage authorities to identify where the bottlenecks in the city are and where overcapacity exists.
The team highlighted that currently there is need for a tool to specify the requirements of each part of the drainage system, in such a way that the system as a whole functions most effectively.
The report said that a computer (hydraulic) model can be beneficial in this regard as it will allow project proposals to focus on those measures that have maximum contributions to the operation of the entire drainage system. The Dutch experts believe that if such a system is designed for Georgetown it will be possible to find improvement measures that have the highest cost benefit ratio.
As it relates to cost, the experts reported that this will correspond with measurements for the widening of channels and adding additional pump capacity. One of the benefits emphasized would be the reduced damage from inundations.
According to the report, the UDMG will allow city and government engineers to predict what effect certain new elements would have on the drainage system.
Further, engineers reported that the UDMG can be used to assist persons who wish to construct buildings in proximity to the drainage system. The report said, “It (UDMG) can be used by authorities or developers as an impact assessment tool to obtain a No Objection Certificate for carrying out their anticipated works.”
The Dutch experts recommended that in the event that the constructed building increases the potential for flooding then the developer can be identified and made to compensate for the loss their actions caused.
Moreover, the experts said that the model can be used to conduct “Stress Tests” which will calculate the risks which may occur during extreme climatic conditions. The report said that different scenarios can be inputted into the system which will provide suggestions such as the widening of channels or whether to leave certain areas free from construction so that future generations will have space to make necessary modifications.
The DRR recommended that a division between operational units and a strategic unit within NDIA, with the latter being responsible for developing and applying the UDMG.
According to the experts, creating such a model will save money and improve the current drainage situation in the Capital City.

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