The issue of increased flood risk has major significance for counties such as Cambridgeshire, that are low-lying and therefore more liable to flooding. Cambridgeshire County Council initiated the FLOWS project to look for solutions to the increased flood risk issues posed by climate change and deliver practical projects to identify how we need to adapt to learn to live with water. 

'Retrofitting' a Cambridgeshire Education Establishment
One of the projects run by the County Council has been the ‘retro-fitting’ of an existing building - an old school-house near Ely - to make it more resilient to flooding. This included installing removable flood-proof barriers to the doors, windows, and airbricks, and raising the internal electrics to reduce the risk of flood damage. The work was incorporated into classes taught at the centre, and child-friendly interpretation boards explain what has happened. 

A booklet has been produced targeted at small business.  ‘Is your business at risk of flooding?’ is available to download (link on right) and is also available, together with additional information, on CD-ROM.

Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems(SUDS) implemented at Cambourne.
The Lamb Drove project is a unique, pioneering project to construct a residential development that showcases sustainable water management techniques. Through an integrated system of sustainable drainage features, the site will bring, environmental, ecological and social benefits to residents.

Lamb Drove comprises of 35 dwellings on a 2.5 acre site. It is located on the southern side of Cambourne, a new settlement approximately 8 miles west of Cambridge.

Searchable Drainage Data Base
Cambridgeshire County Council, in cooperation with local drainage and water boards, local authorities and the Environment Agency, undertook a project(3biii) to create a single, searchable drainage database in GIS format, accessible via the internet.