Living with Water looks ahead to Hull’s next chapter in flood resilience

The Living with Water partnership has delivered a series of innovative, nature-based solutions to help Hull and East Yorkshire adapt to the growing challenges of flooding over the last five years.

From permeable paving on Rosmead Street to Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) in Bilton and Orchard Park, and the creation of six large aqua greens in Derringham, these projects have helped to transform how flood water is managed across the city and region’s local communities.

The recently completed £8.4m Derringham scheme is a prime example of what can be achieved through collaboration. Six new aqua greens now provide temporary storage for excess rainwater, reducing pressure on the sewer network . These spaces don’t just protect homes, they provide areas of biodiversity, that illustrate how flood resilience can also create green community spaces.

This work is part of a wider £23m investment delivered since 2020, laying the foundations for a long-term strategy to manage surface water and sewer flooding. With Hull being the second highest flood risk area in the UK, and 95% of the city sitting below the highest tide levels, the need for sustainable, adaptable solutions has never been greater.

Looking ahead, Yorkshire Water is investing £26.3m over the next five years to continue this transformation. The next phase of the Blue-Green Plan will focus on Hull’s west and the East Riding, disconnecting roadside drainage from the combined sewer system and installing SuDS and rain gardens along 7km of roads. A new tidal pumping station will also be built to discharge flows to the Humber, reducing flood risk for homes and businesses.

These projects will remove around 10 hectares of surface water from the sewer network, delivering a 1–2% improvement in flood resilience across the catchment. More importantly, they will create greener, more biodiverse spaces and build a strong foundation for future phases of flood management.

Emma Brown, general manager of Living with Water, said:  "This investment is a vital part of our long-term strategy to build flood resilience across Hull and Haltemprice. By working with our partners and embracing sustainable, nature-based solutions, we’re creating spaces that communities can enjoy , that provide robust flood resilience to protect homes and businesses.”

Living with Water was established after the 2007 floods and is a partnership between Yorkshire Water, Hull City Council, East Riding of Yorkshire Council, the Environment Agency, and the University of Hull. Together, it is committed to building flood resilience across Hull and the East Riding and adopting nature-based solutions to improve flood management.