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The town of Mallow in southern Ireland has suffered from a long history of flooding from the River Blackwater. In 2002, the Office of Public Works (OPW), commissioned Arup to carry out a feasibility study for a flood relief scheme for the town.
The plan for the scheme was to provide protection against a one-in-a-hundred year flood event to approximately 125 residential properties and almost 100 commercial properties and associated critical infrastructure.
The "Direct Defences"
A number of options were initially considered to protect against Blackwater flooding. Some of which included flood-proofing properties, river restoration and constructing a flood relief channel downstream of Mallow Bridge.
Following a detailed assessment of all options, Arup chose a solution for Mallow which consisted of defending against a combination of high Blackwater levels and high tributary flows, through the use of "Direct Defences".
These "direct" flood defences consisted of defence walls and embankments, pumping stations and demountable defences. This was supplemented by flood relief culverts in some areas and the realignment of the channel and floodplain at the Town Bridge.
Varied approach
To deliver the project, the works were broken into three distinct and self-contained schemes, named Mallow North, Mallow South and Mallow West. These schemes were publicly exhibited in June 2005.
Arup completed all design, procurement, supervision and contract administration for all three schemes, embracing a range of specialist disciplines across Arup’s Cork, Dublin, Leeds and Manchester offices. These included civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, geotechnical, and environmental engineering, hydrogeology, hydraulic modelling, geomorphology and river engineering, project management and cost control and contract administration. Arup also provided the service of Project Supervisor for the Design Phase (PSDP).
All three schemes were completed efficiently and cost effectively. Their success is an example of the delivery of a sustainable engineering solution developed in harmony with nature for the benefit of society.
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Expertise
Hydrogeology
Geotechnical engineering & geotechnics services
