5 high-tech small-scale flood control systems

Metro Manila and nearby provinces are currently suffering from torrential rains and massive flooding. And while I was putting up my own makeshift sandbags to keep water from flowing into my house, I kept on wondering if there are small-scale flood control systems that we can use at home. Here’s what I found so far.

Inflatable rubber dams

Inflatable rubber dams are the most common flood control systems being used in the world. These are cylindrical rubber fabrics that are installed in the path of incoming water to divert the flow or prevent water intrusion. These dams come in different sizes and are pumped with water, air or both.

Artificial sandbags

Normal sandbags are sacks usually filled with, well, sand. With artificial sandbags, a special super absorbent chemical powder is used instead of ordinary sand. One example of this product is the Quick Dam.

When not in use (dry) it just weighs than less than a pound. It can absorb up to 4 gallons of water and weigh up to a maximum of 30 lbs.

Flood barriers

Flood barriers are custom-made systems that are installed on doors, windows and garages. It’s basically an easy to install watertight wall that you can put up to prevent floods from coming in to your house. One example is the Floodark system. Take a look at the video below (skip to 1:50):

HESCO Concertainer units

A HESCO Concertainer unit is a multi-cellular wall system manufactured from welded zinc-aluminium coated steel wire mesh and joined with vertical, helical coil joints. The units are lined with a heavy-duty non-woven polypropylene geotextile.

In essence, these are high-tech mesh baskets that are filled with dirt or sand. Normally, these are used by soldiers as walls to deter incoming fire but can be used to block off water.

Aqua Levee

The Aqua Levee is a flood control system that consists of triangular cross-section tube-like structures that are filled with water and stacked to form a temporary levee (or dyke). These levees will be pumped with water and can be installed in dry or flowing conditions.

And there you have it. Most of these flood control systems are only available in the U.S. but we’re hoping that some can make it here or a company based in the Philippines can manufacture some since we can certainly make use of it in times like these.

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