Is Haifa getting ready for winter? Or will we find ourselves in flooded streets again?

(haipo) - Every year, with the first rain, many areas in Haifa are flooded, streets throughout the city turn into "flowing rivers" in a short period of time, and heavy damages are often caused as a result. These days, with the approach of the winter season, the question arises whether the municipality of Haifa is preparing for it as required, so that the floods known to Haifa residents from previous winters will be avoided. Are the sewer systems and gutters properly maintained, and will they be able to handle the expected amounts of rainfall?

The winter floods in Haifa are a well-known and familiar phenomenon, and every year new questions arise among the residents about the municipality's actions in dealing with the issue. Many wonder how it is possible that a solution has not yet been found to a problem that repeats itself every year.

The residents, who previously suffered damage as a result of the floods, fear that a similar situation will occur this winter as well, especially in light of the predictions that climate change is worsening and will bring with it more aggressive rain systems.

"statistical design"

Yaron Ben Ari, a water engineer and expert in managing urban runoff, explained in an interview we conducted with him last year in Hai Pa, that one of the main reasons for flooding is the planning of drainage systems based on "statistical planning". With this method, he explained, the planners base themselves on amounts of rainfall measured over 30 years and based on that they determine the absorption capacity of the systems. But the increasing climate changes are changing the picture. Due to global warming there is increased evaporation of sea water, which leads to heavier and more unpredictable rain systems, so that the old forecasts and preparations no longer provide a satisfactory answer.

There is no magic solution

Following the many floods in recent years, Amendment 8 to TMA 1 was published, which focuses on the management of urban runoff water. The amendment requires entrepreneurs to find new solutions for introducing water into the subsoil, including creative solutions such as green roofs, boreholes, or storage ponds in public areas. However, Ben-Ari emphasizes that there is no magic solution that can absorb all the amounts of water. "We also see flooding in places around the world where there are more advanced infrastructures, such as Germany and the USA," explained Ben-Ari and emphasized that this is a problem that is not unique to Haifa.

Now, the main question is whether the municipality of Haifa is acting in accordance with the new regulations and whether it is maintaining the drainage and sewage systems in the city in a way that will prevent, at least to some extent, the familiar floods. The residents hope that the municipality will be better prepared for the coming winter, so that they will not find themselves again when they are stuck with their car in a huge puddle in the middle of the road or the dubious sights of the flooded streets.

Haifa Municipality gave a response to Haifa:
"As every year, the drainage department in the operations administration of the Municipality of Haifa prepares the city for the winter rains, according to a work plan and timetables set in advance. The preparation activity includes cleaning receptors, drainage lines and drainage canals. The department's personnel also inspect, clean and maintain pumping stations for drainage, Improvement of the drainage system in recently renovated streets as well as spot drainage improvements throughout the city.

Along with these, the department is updating the municipal procedure for storm cases, checking the integrity of the warning sensors installed in underground passages and examining all the sensitive centers in the city in order to prepare them optimally for the winter rains."

To read the full interview with Yaron Ben Ari, go to the article at the link: