For the first time at the show, organisers Messe München will have a joint stand entitled 'Coastal Protection and Flood Control'. It is predicted that serious flooding, of the kind that normally happens every 50 years, will in future occur every 25 years. That is one of the findings of a climate study presented in May this year by the insurance association Gesamtverband der Deutschen Versicherungswirtschaft (GDV) together with researchers from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, the Free University of Berlin and the University of Cologne. In order to reduce the impact of flooding, the German Association for Water, Wastewater and Waste emphasises the importance of proper flood planning for wastewater facilities. Many operators of drainage systems are reacting to the challenges of ever more frequent heavy rain and flooding by constructing storage basins, culverts to give extra retaining capacity, flood barriers and flood pumping stations. Another risk is posed by flooded sewage works. If clearing basins overflow, untreated sewage can get into the main outfall, with unpredictable results for the environment. Besides the environment, it’s also important to protect technology and building structures against the floods. IFAT Ensorga takes place from 7 to 11 May 2012 in Munich, Germany.
