Your safety and wellbeing are always our top priority. That’s why we take water safety seriously, so you can enjoy clean, safe water every day, without a second thought. Our Teams:

Water is precious, and saving it helps the planet and your pocket. Here are a few simple ways you can make a difference:

• Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth or washing dishes.
• Fix drips and leaks – a single dripping tap can waste thousands of litres a year.
• Use a bowl to wash vegetables instead of running water.
• Only run full loads in your washing machine and dishwasher.
• Take shorter showers – even cutting back by a minute or two can save litres every day.

Flood Ready: Staying Informed and Prepared in Castle Vale

Flooding is becoming more common across the UK, with recent years seeing record-breaking rainfall and river levels.

In fact, 2023–24 was the wettest winter in over 130 years, with thousands of homes affected nationwide.

Birmingham has seen its share of heavy rain and named storms, and while Castle Vale remains largely safe, it’s always good to be prepared.

Is Castle Vale at Risk?

The good news is that most areas in Castle Vale are considered ‘very low risk’ according to the Government’s long-term flood risk checker.

However, surface water flooding, caused by heavy rain overwhelming drainage systems can happen anywhere, even in areas not near rivers.

Why Surface Water Flooding Matters

Surface water flooding (also called flash flooding) can:

• Occur unexpectedly, even on higher ground
• Be difficult to predict, affecting small areas intensely
• Be worse in built-up areas with lots of concrete and tarmac

What You Can Do

Here are some simple steps to help you stay flood-aware:

Flood Checklist

• Sign up for flood alerts from the Environment Agency: Check your postcode
• Check your home insurance covers flooding and contents
• Store important documents in a safe, elevated place
• Keep drains and gutters clear of leaves and debris (check with us if you’re unsure what’s covered)

Know Your Home

It’s useful to know where these are located, not just for flooding, but for any emergency:

• Electricity cut-off switch
• Gas shut-off valve
• Water stop tap
• Flood kit (e.g. torch, waterproofs, first aid, key documents)

What We’re Doing

We’re here to keep our communities safe. Here’s how we’re managing flood risk locally:

• A Flood Risk Management Plan is in place for Castle Vale and Bromford.
• We maintain business insurance and encourage tenants to take out contents insurance
• We work with Birmingham City Council and the Environment Agency to monitor and respond to flood risks

FAQs

Is Castle Vale likely to flood?

• Most areas are low or very low risk, but surface water flooding can happen during heavy rain.

Where would the flood come from?

• Flooding could come from surface water (rainfall), nearby rivers like the River Tame, or blocked drainage systems.

What should I do if flooding happens?

• Stay safe, avoid walking or driving through flood water, and contact emergency services if needed. You can also reach out to us for support.

Useful Contacts

Environment Agency Floodline: 0345 988 1188

National Grid (Gas & Electricity)

Severn Trent Water

Birmingham City Council