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The safety of reservoirs is of paramount importance to the
British Dam Society and is a key driving force behind many
of the meetings, events and research undertaken by the society.
This part of the website contains links and information relating
to:
The Reservoirs Act 1975 provides the legal framework to ensure
the safety of UK reservoirs that hold at least 25,000 cu m of
water above natural ground level. Approximately 2,500 reservoirs
are covered by the Act: some 80% of these are formed by embankment
dams with the remainder being concrete or masonry dams or service
reservoirs. The Act is applicable in England, Wales and Scotland:
it does not apply to Northern Ireland, although some reservoir
owners and operators there comply with the spirit of the Act. The Act identifies four key persons
or organisations with distinct functions and responsibilities
as follows:
- Undertakers
The Undertakers are generally the owners or operators of
the reservoir, and have ultimate responsibility for the
safety of the reservoir.
- Enforcement Authorities
The Enforcement Authority is responsible for ensuring
that the Undertakers observe and comply with the requirements
of the Act.
Since 1 October 2004 the Environment Agency has been the Enforcement
Authority for England and Wales. Further information on the
Act and the Environment Agency’s responsibilities can
be found on www.environment-agency.gov.uk/reservoirsafety/
The Enforcement Authorities in Scotland are the Regional Councils.
- Qualified Civil Engineers (also referred to as
Panel Engineers)
Qualified civil engineers are experienced reservoir engineers
appointed to one of the panels under the Act by the Secretary
of State in consultation with the Institution of Civil Engineers.
They are responsible for the design and supervision of construction,
the supervision of measures in the interests of safety,
inspection of reservoirs and the ongoing supervision of
reservoirs. There are currently four panels of engineers:
- All Reservoirs Panel
- Non-impounding Reservoirs Panel
- Service Reservoirs Panel
- Supervising Engineers Panel
Further details of these panels and a list of currently appointed
panel engineers can be found on http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/sectors/64253.aspx
- Secretary of State
The Secretary of State is responsible for overseeing the
activities of the Enforcement Authorities, appointment of
qualified civil engineers and making statutory instruments
to prescribe regulations.
Current responsibility for the Act in England lies with
the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
Since 1 July 1999, the Scottish Parliament and the National
Assembly for Wales have had the powers to make specific
regulations for Scotland and Wales respectively, but these
have not yet been used.
For identification of a Panel Engineer and details of the reservoir safety R&D programme see the DEFRA website at:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/environ/fcd/rsrvoir/default.htm
An initial list of guidance documents
covering a range of topics is given below.
Interim guide to quantitative risk assessment for
UK reservoirs. Brown AJ and Gosden JD (2004). Thomas
Telford, 161pp.
A Guide to the
Reservoirs Act 1975. Institution of Civil Engineers
(2000). Thomas Telford, London. 209pp.
Register of British
dams. Report BR 261, 55pp. Building Research Establishment
(1994).
An engineering
guide to seismic risk to dams in the United Kingdom.
Charles J A, Abbiss C P, Gosschalk E M and Hinks J L (1991).
BRE Report BR 210, 64pp.
Investigating
embankment dams: a guide to the identification and repair
of defects. Charles J A, Tedd P, Hughes A K and Lovenbury
H T (1996). BRE Report BR 303, 81pp.
Bibliography of
British dams. Charles J A and Tedd P [compilers] (1996)..
Building Reserach Establishment, Report BR 310, 50pp.
Guide to analysis
of open?channel spillway flows. Ellis J R (1989). CIRIA,
Report TN 134.
Design of flood
storage reservoirs. Hall M J, Hockin D L and Ellis
J B (1992).. CIRIA and Butterworth?Heineman.
Performance of
blockwork and slabbing protection for dam faces. Herbert
D M, Lovenbury H T, Allsop N W H and Reader R A (1995).. HR
Wallingford, Report SR 345 49pp.
Design of reinforced
grass waterways. Hewlett H W M, Boorman L A and Bramley
M E (1987).. CIRIA, Report 116, 115pp.
Floods and reservoir
safety: 3rd edition. Institution of Civil Engineers
(1996). Thomas Telford, 63pp.
An application
note to An engineering guide to seismic risk to dams in the
United Kingdom. Institution of Civil Engineers (1998).
ICE, 40pp.
An engineering
guide to the safety of embankment dams in the United Kingdom.
Johnston T A, Millmore J P, Charles J A and Tedd P (1999).
Second edition. BRE Report BR 363, 102pp.
Small embankment
reservoirs. Kennard M F, Hoskins C G and Fletcher M
(1996).. CIRIA Report 161, 445pp.
Engineering guide
to the safety of concrete and masonry dam structures in the
UK. Kennard M F, Owens C L and Reader R A (1996). CIRIA
Report 148, 172pp.
Valves, pipework
and associated equipment in dams ? guide to condition assessment.
Reader R A, Kennard M F and Hay J (1997). CIRIA Report 170,
160pp.
Reservoir dams:
wave conditions, wave overtopping and slab protection.
Yarde A J, Banyard L S and Allsop N W H (1996). HR Wallingford
Report SR 459, 27pp.
Risk management
for UK reservoirs. Hughes A K, Hewlett H W M, Morris
M, Sayers P, Moffat A I B, Harding A and Tedd P (2000b)..
Report C542. CIRIA, London.
The guides listed above can be obtained
from:
BRE Guides
CRC Ltd
151 Rosebery Avenue
London
EC1R 4GB
Tel 0171 505 6622
Fax 0171 505 6606
Email: crc@construct.emap.cp.uk
CIRIA Guides
Classic House
174-180 Old Street
London
EC1V 9BP
Email: enquiries@ciria.org.uk
ICE Thomas Telford
Book Sales Department
Thomas Telford Ltd
1 Heron Quay
London
W14 4ID
Web site: www.t-telford.co.uk
HR Wallingford
Howbery Park
Wallingford
Oxfordshire
OX10 8BA
Tel: 01491 835383
Email: info@hrwallingford.co.uk
Web site: www.hrwallingford.co.uk
R&D relating to a wide range of aspects of dam safety and performance is undertaken by many different organisations within the UK each year. The purpose of this R&D is to ensure and maintain high standards of performance and dam and reservoir safety. Funding for this research comes from a variety of sources including UK Government Agencies, the European Commission, Water Utility Companies and other associated companies and organisations with an interest in dams and reservoirs.
Responsibility for reservoir safety R&D for England and Wales has recently transferred to the Environment Agency from DEFRA. The Environment Agency has established a Reservoir Safety Theme Group to manage this work; this approach being consistent with existing Theme Groups set up under the Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management R&D Programme. The Reservoir Safety Theme is managed by Geoff Baxter and Ian Hope, of the Environment Agency, with a theme advisory group (The Reservoir Safety Advisory Group [RSAG]), drawing on expertise from government, industry and academia to assist in this process.
Whilst existing R&D projects are to continue under Agency management, the Agency has also commissioned a fresh review of reservoir safety R&D and perceived R&D needs to provide the basis for a rolling programme of R&D initiatives. Details of other R&D projects will be provided through both BDS and EA websites in due course.
Defra/ Environment Agency Reservoir Safety Research & Development Strategy
In 2007 Defra commissioned a team led by Atkins to carry out a project which would determine the strategic direction for Reservoir Safety Research and Development in the UK for the next 5 – 15 years.
Part of the project remit was to consult with the reservoir safety profession to ensure that all areas where there was a perceived need for future Reservoir Safety R&D work were considered as part of the study. The list of R&D needs was debated at a two day workshop in early 2008. Participants at the workshop included a number of panel engineers, reservoir owners, academics and other prominent members of the profession. The attendees were asked to vote to prioritise the projects that would deliver the R&D work.
The draft Reservoir Safety Research and Development strategy is available via the following link for industry review and comment: http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/sectors/64264.aspx
We would welcome your views and comments on the strategy before it is finalised in late 2008. Please send your comments to FCERMscience@environment-agency.gov.uk
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