FLOOD experts from Arup and the OPW are among the speakers at an upcoming conference at CIT.

'Flooding in the Cork Region - Impact and Solutions' will also include input from members of the Save Cork City group and businesses who have suffered flood damage first hand.

Hosted by the School of Building & Civil Engineering at CIT, the 28th Environ Conference will take place from March 26 to 28. It is hosted in collaboration with the Environmental Sciences Association of Ireland (ESAI) and focused on the theme of 'Arriving at a Sustainable Future.'

Speakers at the conference will include Ezra MacManamon of the Office of Public Works (OPW) and Ken Leahy of Arup Consulting Engineers, both of whom have been involved in the design of the Lower Lee Flood Relief Scheme.

The two will field questions at a Q&A session on Monday, March 26 at 8pm at the Frank O'Connor Theatre in CIT and will be joined by John Hegarty, architect and member of the Save Cork City Group, which has remained vocally critical of the current OPW plans.

Business owner Clare Nash of Nash 19 will also be present. Ms Nash has suffered flood damage on more than one occasion in recent years at her restaurant on Prince's Street in the city centre.

Pre-registration is required for the event at 7.15pm.

Also speaking over the course of the week are Eamon Ryan, TD and leader of the Green Party and Dr Jonathan Derham of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (both on Tuesday, March 27), while Dutch wastewater expert Josien Ruijter from the Dutch Waste Company NV. HVC will speak on Wednesday, March 28.

Commenting on the conference Dr Joe Harrington, Head of School of Building & Civil Engineering in CIT and organiser of the event said, “Environ is the longest running, and largest forum, for environmental researchers in Ireland with over 275 delegates attending the event annually. It provides a high-visibility platform for young researchers to present their findings to an audience drawn from academia, government bodies and agencies, and industry.” 

Further information on this Free Public Event is available from the office of the School of Building & Civil Engineering, CIT by contacting Ms Denise O’Keeffe on 021 4326233 or denise.okeeffe@cit.ie Further information on Environ2018 is available at http://www.esaiweb.org/environ/