7-Tips On Flooding Prevention When Heavy Rains Comes

Journal of Engineering Design & Construction Studies
Creative Commons License - Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/E5N4H | AUGUST 2021 Edition SERIES 3
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7-Tips on Flooding Prevention

when Heavy Rains Comes
Ronald Gomeseria (Author)
ME/PME, PMP, PE, PEng, CEng, CBuildE, CEnv, ASEANEng, ACPE, IntPE, CEMgr, CHCMgr, CEMgr, MPM, CIPM, SPMgr, SEMgr
@ 2021 Ronald Gomeseria y Valledor, All Rights Reserved
Ph.D. (Summa Cum Laude), MSME (Magna Cum Laude), MSCM (1.14 GPA), BSFPLS (Distinction), BSME (Scholar)
A Chartered Environmentalist and practitioner specializing in Upland Resources Environmental Management
Environmental Science and Engineering Consultant
Overview
Heavy rains are heavily experiencing in every country throughout the world and no one from the
countries is an excuse for it. Some will say it is due to Climate Change or an El Niño year but it is
not, however, the reality is that heavy rains are always happening every year in the Philippines.
Similar to Africa and the Middle East scenarios, they are experiencing severe drought over the
last several years, but nobody knows exactly when will the rains come, and definitely, heavy rains
come unexpectedly in their countries. Many homes and infrastructures built environment in
various localities are not equipped to handle all such heavy rains that caused them with excess
water from the rainstorms, which always lead to severe flooding issues and reported accidents.
This author’s article has provided some tips that might help everyone to handle the scenario so as
to prevent flooding during heavy rain with the following reminders to take note.
The photo above emphasizes an example of backflow prevention device and uses, showing the
culvert drainage whereas the surface water drainage pipe dropped-off connection from the nearby
establishment as well as the water flood sloped down to the surface water drainage opening along
a pedestrian lane, and the rainwater pipes to catch pits. The photos are from the Clark Freeport
Zone & have been crafted to simplify into a one-picture for flooding prevention tips story.
Philippine Copyright @2021 by Gomeseria, Ronald y Valledor
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All rights reserved. This ARTICLE or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the
AUTHOR except for the use of brief quotations in a literature review. (Under Sec. 172 of R.A. 8293 of which consent of the copyright owner has been secured)
ePrinted from/by Gomeseria, Ronald y Valledor, Quezon City, Philippines / ePrinting, 2021
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The article, “7-Tips on Flooding Prevention when Heavy Rains Comes,” is a challenging
composition derived based on working experiences in the design & construction industry that
might help as a reminder of the importance of how to prevent the built environment during Rainy
Season from June to November & Monsoon Season from December to February. This article will
provide a brief analysis of occurrences and write-ups to improve the environmental aspect.
Figure 01, Storm Drains with Designed Catch Pits (photo by rvgomeseria of JCP Hospital)
Tip No 1 - Clear all Storm Drains
For all new buildings to be constructed, all necessary storm drains provision shall be designed
exactly in conformance with the National Plumbing Code so as the stormwater will flow exactly
to the storm drains (Figures 01/10) to the wastewater pipe network or culvert drainage designed in
the localities, e.g. Fig. 02 an example, the photo taken inside Clark Freeport Zone by the author.
More importantly, the gathered drainage impact assessment must have adhered when designing
storm drain; the rainwater pipe sizes shall not be compromised and shall be calculated based on
the required building roof surface area, the locality forecast rainwater millimeter height per hour,
and the safety factor input has to be considered for future anticipation. The design planning shall
be initiated correctly with proper roof slope towards the designed location of the rainwater outlet
and equally distributed within the building perimeter that complies with architectural aesthetics.
For all existing buildings, storm drains shall be assessed based on the locality forecast rainwater
millimeter height per hour and if repairs have to be done must be executed promptly. For instance,
all necessary rainwater pipes that seem to be diverted have to be done so that all excess water will
be routed accordingly and these rainwater pipes have to be equally distributed to the designated
pipe outlet. Because over time when heavy rains approach without any cleaning the roof surfaces
or even repairs or improvement to the existing storm drains, the allocated rainwater pipes can get
be clogged with tree leaves, unavoidable trash, and other debris that can be found in the system
pipe, which can prevent stormwater from properly draining towards catch pits. The idea here is to
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make sure all your storm drain points within the building are free from any clutters as mentioned
so that water can drain freely down to culvert drainage (Fig. 02) without any problem.
Tip No 2 - Clean the House Gutters and Rain Water Downspouts
Whenever we heard any news from news agencies or the government disaster risk management
council of the forecasted heavy rains and typhoon severe storms that might happen for the
affected locations, the homeowners or the building engineer has to be aware and prepared all
necessary unexpected outcomes to prevent in assuring building safeties and human comfort.
One of them is cleaning building gutters that must be inspected to remove all necessary tree
leaves, unavoidable trashes, and other debris (Figure 10), which will be get clogged & blocked on
either way to rainwater pipes. Another one is the rainwater downspout that needs to divert pipe
route away from the building or your home to the culvert drainage if ever designed as shown in
Figures 02/03 below. More importantly, your building ground slab foundation will damage with
excess water brought by unmaintained gutter-rainwater pipe leak as shown in Figure 03 can wreak
havoc on your building/home’s slab foundation, which can lead to very expensive repairs.
Again, the roof gutters and downspouts can get clogged with leave and other debris, on the other
hand, which can prevent water from flowing if these are not maintained properly. In contrary or
addition that is usually happening in the building as shown in Figure 03 with either damaged
gutter or downspout connection is not properly tied with the roof gutter which leads to flooding.
Figure 02, Designed Culvert Drainage for Clark Freeport Zone (photo by rvgomeseria)
The building Engineer or the homeowner has to provide a quarterly inspection within their facility
and anticipate all the worst scenarios to be reinstated and repaired of all particular services during
summer so that during Rainy Season from June to November and Monsoon Season from
December to February, the building is in safe and assuring human comfort for all the visitors and
patients within the healthcare facility as in the case of Figure 03 should be avoided. Cleaning the
roof gutters and inspecting rainwater downspouts are essentials for a sustainable environment.
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Figure 03, Gutter with Downspout Connection of Masantol Health Center (photo by rvgomeseria)
Tip No 3 - Sump Pump Provision
Building sump pumps are usually designed to prevent flooding during heavy rain occurrences. It
is essential within the built environment in the prevention of floods, especially in urban areas. On
the other hand, if the building or the homeowners live within the flood zone, having a sump pump
in the building is an option to opt for spilled rainwater to the surface groundwater manhole.
Figure 04, Building Sump Pump
Most likely in the building design
plan concerning the National
Plumbing Code & Standards, sump
pump provision in Figure 04 has to
be designed and calculated the area
requirements to cater stormwater
drains out of the building in case of
flooding in the basement areas.
Just in the case tends flooding in the
building ground area similar to
Figure 03 (above photo), the ground
level has to be tilted or sloped
slightly towards the designed
channel grating down to the sump pit
provision. And whenever the rainwater enters the crock of the sump pump within the sump pit as
shown in Figure 04, it will activate automatically and pumps the wastewater out either to the
public sewer system network manhole connection or to the nearby surface groundwater network
channel for proper wastewater disposal (Figures 09/10).
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In an ordinary case scenario out of nowhere, then you don’t have any sump pump or any
alternative means and the building location is in a flood zone, all you have to do is to get one.
When you have already purchased a sump pump, you have to test it in making sure the system
works by pouring some water into the crock for the sump pump to activate. However, when
choosing a sump pump has to be a battery backup which is the best choice in anticipation, since
heavy rains are coupled with long hour’s duration and usually accompanied by a power loss.
Tip No 4 - Backflow Prevention Device Installation Provision
Most likely, the backflow occurrences might happen after the downfall of heavy rains as a
consequence of flooding in low-lying areas either in urban or rural locations affecting the entire
infrastructure that includes residential, commercial, and industrial establishments being built.
Some countries had been designed having with public sewer system network whereas the house
sewer connected to the system down to the Sewage Treatment Plant facilities to be treated
accordingly and back to the public for another purpose commercially. However, if the public
sewer system network is not properly maintained by the government or having work negligence in
some part of the system pipe distribution then tends to breakage due to pipe leak which can be
either overwhelmed or swept the system network with volumes of dirt and debris during heavy
rains resulting to backflow issue. And if the occurrence cannot be controlled, most likely the
backflow issue might happening and will affect the built household establishments.
However, in other countries like the Philippines, it is not designed to be a public sewer system
network but a septic tank system within the building built environment on both urban and rural
areas establishment application. The deposited sewage from the septic tank has been collected by
the commercial sewage truck, e.g. “Malabanan Company,” down to the Sewage Treatment Plant.
The installation provision of Backflow Preventer is most likely advisable for those countries when
the house sewer public sewer system network connection has been designed allocated either in
urban or rural locations so that the incident of negative pressure will be avoided due to
unexpected heavy rains as consequence to flooding, especially in low lying areas. Whilst using a
septic tank system is not advisable to install a Backflow Preventer (Figure 05) but an option to the
client's preference when they want to install it in the house sewer pipe before the septic tank.
Figure 05, Sewer Backflow Prevention Device
The result of the backflow issue is a problematic

occurrence within the establishment and many
disadvantages impact within the built environment. The
backflow or the negative pressure in the house sewer
public sewer system network connection is messy and
gross as well as nobody wants to work on it due to its
health impact on humans. The disadvantage of backflow
will cause a cost impact to the client’s budget that will
bring severe damages to properties with expensive repairs.
The backflow prevention device (Figure 05) has been
designed innovatively to give a healthy building
environment impact by installing it in the building house
sewer system to prevent any untreated sewer water from
entering the premises due to public sewer system network negative pressure.
Whenever experiencing negative pressure from the public sewer system network, the building
plumbing fixtures cannot be used properly, e.g. the toilets cannot be able to flush normally as well
as to drain wastewater to other water-using appliances outlet but a consistent water backflow.
The cost of the backflow prevention device as well as the house manhole construction will cost
the owner costly unexpectedly. Investing in it is not a question but giving worthwhile. However,
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at the end of the day and whenever the negative pressure happens, the owner will have an
assurance that their building is safe and will give a desirable input of a healthy environment.
Tip No 5 – Sandbags Provision during Heavy Rains
Sandbags are one of the old traditions amongst flood defense that have been used by many to
redirect the flow of water. Also, an instrument is used to trap water during heavy rain to prevent
flooding as shown in Figure 06. However, it is difficult to manage but importantly to pay attention
to laying sandbags in the openings accurately and correct positioning. But take note, improper
setup of sandbags can give you a problem where you don’t want it to happen, instead of diverting
the water away while trapping water might be a disaster on the other hand.
Moreover, using sandbags is inexpensive, dirty to look at, space allocation will give impact within
the perimeter, and ultimately, they are good to have on hand in your house just in case if ever.
Figure 06, Sandbags Provision during Flooding and Heavy Rains

Tip No 6 – Demountable Flood Control Barrier System Installation
Over the years using sandbags amongst flood defense in our old practice has been exceptional,
however, with the technological innovation from Europe has designed the Flood Control Barrier
System as an alternative to sandbags, which is to simplify the purpose of using Figure 06
Sandbags Provision with Figure 07 Flood Control Barrier System Components in any building
built applications. A sustainable element on the other hand and easy to manage in the prevention
of flood that is due to heavy rains for the localities low lying areas within the built environment.
The author has no problem with the technology which is manufactured in Germany made of
aluminum with light material composition. However, the only problem with the Flood Control
Barrier System Components in the landscape market is their terrible price compared to traditional
sandbags flood defense. The fact is nobody can afford that kind of technology unless the buyers
are rich who can sustain in protecting their properties from flood e.g. Ayala, SM, FEU, etc.
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Figure 07, Innovative Flood Control Barrier System for JCP Hospital (photo by rvgomeseria)
Figure 08, Clogged Drains during Flooding and Heavy Rains (crafted by rvgomeseria)
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Tip No 7 – Cleaning Clogged Drains

Experiencing heavy rains can cause trouble and upset within the building plumbing system. It is
usually happening to many households and no doubt about that because of clogged drain after
long hours of heavy rain will become headache and frustration by many of us. However, clogged
drains can be cleaned after heavy rains to alleviate clogs and drain freely to a normal flow.
Figure 08 is an example of clogged drains that was done by many of us on private household
catch pits as well as on public drainage pits. And that’s the reason why the public sewer system
network and the surface groundwater network have been under negative pressure or having
backflow to our house sewer. Because of all unnecessary tree leaves, unavoidable trash, plastic
bottles, plastic bags, and other debris you can found (Figure 08), the tendency on the other hand,
which will be get clogged and blocked on either way. With the entire scenario, the designed storm
pumping station, as well as the flood control system in Figure 09, will be damaged.
Figure 09, Pumping Station and Flood Control Systems - MMDA (crafted by rvgomeseria)
Conclusion
For improving the quality of our environment, it is “US,” has to escalate and be governed with
strict policies in conformance to environmental laws so that the quality of life for the citizens will
not be compromised. The author’s article, “7-Tips on Flooding Prevention when Heavy Rains
Comes,” is another series edition for August and since today’s Rainy Season falls from June to
November and Monsoon Season from December to February (PAGASA) will tackle some tips in
the prevention in mitigating flooding, which people have to be prepared and aware of all the
consequences that might bring to individuals and the community about the impact.
It is understood when the Philippines are suffering from the impact of the enhanced southwest
monsoon will trigger most likely the combinations of Heavy Rains, Typhoons-Severe Storms,
Flooding, Landslide, Tidal Wave, Surge, and Earthquake are expected to happen to the result of
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severe damages in the country, e.g. in the recent typhoon “Fabian” with 185 km/hr according to
the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
The typhoon “Fabian” was started last July 19 (It’s been a week time duration now!) and what has
been experienced for the same in the previous years are not new to all Filipinos. In that kind of
situation, people will suffer, properties might damage, and the country’s economy will fall.
In achieving with those tips, that kind of vision and awareness to the environment shall be
understood by every building engineer and the homeowners to facilitate reinstating the facility
with a bit of improvement so that flood occurrence be prevented. Moreover, it is important to
gather drainage impact assessments from a specialist that must be adhered to when doing repairs.
However, accompanied insurance and compensation cannot be the cure for what has been
damaged by the flood to many. But with safe methodological approaches to the built environment
must be implemented carefully so that floods prevention shall be done environmentally.
In conclusion, with the involvement of all governmental agencies, corporate, industrialists,
manufacturers, and developers within the country must strive to adopt and adapt the most
effective policies & technologies in protecting the environmental assets following environmental
laws to improve the quality of our environment. Similarly, the workforce contributions of
Consulting Engineers, Scientists, and Volunteers will help the government in implementing the
environmental law, et al recognize the imperative of cultivating a sense of environmental
responsibility among the public in general before the flooding event due to heavy rains.
Figure 10, Necessary Tree Leaves and Unavoidable Trashes on Gutters (crafted by rvgomeseria)
Recommendations
The structured landscape and biodiversity shall be reinstated for the same so that the flooding can
be prevented with planting more trees and development of spillways according to President
Ferdinand Marcos Blue Print must be addressed and well constructed in compliance with the
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environmental law. The innovative ecological aspect in flood prevention incorporating adaptation
and mitigating process in protecting the environmental assets must be carefully addressed.
The formulation of the UNDP's Sustainable Development Goals needs to be considered because
this will help in the governance by incorporating them into each country’s environmental law to
secure an established sustainable environment by improving the quality of life. The long-term
solution with sustainability initiatives, adaptation, and mitigating flood prevention will benefit the
citizens sustainably. Flood Prevention Planning shall be carefully studied and addressed the need
for a holistic approach for a structured landscape and country biodiversity.
Write-Up References and Additional Readings
Gomeseria, RV; (December 2018); “Environmental Advocacy & Conservation Personal Journal
& Reflections;” Durreesamin Journal (ISSN: 2204-9827) December Vol 4 Issue 3; Year 2018
Gomeseria, RV; (January 2020); “Upland Environmental Governance Concerns;” Retrd from;
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/338634535_Upland_Environmental_Governance_Concerns
UNDP Sustainable Development Goals (n.d.); Retrieved from;
https://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/sustainable-development-goals.html
National Geographic – Global Warming; Retrieved from;
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/global-warming-causes/
Medina, Charito; “Ecosystem Structure and Dynamics;” (1999), University of the Philippines
Ronald Valledor Gomeseria; "Engineering Consultancy in the World’s Environmental
Movement;" Viewpoint (December 2018), Consulting Engineers Association of India (CEAI)
About the Author

With 28,200+ LinkedIn Followers Connections (27 July 2021)
Er. Ronald Valledor Gomeseria, Ph.D. ME/PME, PE, PEng, CEng, CBuildE, CEnv, APEC (IntPE), ACPE, ASEANEng
Professional Engineer (Philippines, Qatar, India, UK); Chartered Engineer (India, UK); Chartered Environmentalist (India);
Chartered Engineering Manager (USA); Chartered Health Care Manager (USA); Specialized Engineering Manager (UK);
Specialized Project Manager (UK); Master Project Manager (USA); Chartered Building Engineer (UK); ASEAN Engineer; ASEAN
Chartered Professional Engineer; APEC Engineer (IntPE); Mechanical Engineer (Phils); Plumbing Engineer / Professional Master
Plumber (Phils); Master Electrician (Phils); Certified International Project Manager (USA)
Book & Article Author/Writer – CEAI ViewPoint Journal | Durresamin Journal | Academia and ResearchGate Platforms |
LinkedIn | CHARTERED FELLOW – FCIBSE, FCABE, FSPE, FIMS, FCIML, FAAMP

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7-Tips on Flooding Prevention

The result of the backflow issue is a problematic

Figure 06, Sandbags Provision during Flooding and Heavy Rains

Tip No 7 – Cleaning Clogged Drains

About the Author

Philippine Copyright @2021 by Gomeseria, Ronald y Valledor

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