Water Rails ® flood dike

WATER RAILS ® is a modular, versatile flood dike usable for water levels ranging from 30 cm to 2 metres, over an unlimited length.

 

Water Rails® is a modular, reusable, water-filled flood barrier system deployable by two people within minutes. Available for flood levels from 30 cm to 2 metres over unlimited lengths, it protects roads, industrial sites, historic buildings and strategic infrastructure. SSI Environmental supply and support Water Rails flood dikes across Ireland.

Water Rails® Flood Barriers Ireland: Modular Flood Dikes from 30 cm to 2 Metres

When flood water is rising and sandbags are running out, time is the critical factor. Traditional flood defences — sandbags, concrete barriers, earth bunds — take hours or days to build, require large amounts of material, and leave significant mess to clear afterwards.

Water Rails® flood barriers, supplied by SSI Environmental across Ireland, can be deployed by just two people in a fraction of the time. The modular system fills with water from the flood itself — no specialist pumping equipment, no crane, no heavy machinery. Once the threat passes, the barriers drain, deflate and store compactly for reuse.

How Does a Water Rails Flood Barrier Work?

  • Step 1: Pre-inflate the tube using a thermal air blower — gives it shape and makes handling easy

  • Step 2: Position the inflated barrier along the flood defence line

  • Step 3: Connect pump(s) and fill the tube with water — air is expelled via the overpressure kit

  • Step 4: Connect additional tubes end-to-end for the required length

  • Step 5: After the event, drain, deflate and store compactly for future deployment

Water Rails vs Sandbags: Why Irish Sites Are Switching

Factor Sandbags Water Rails® Advantage
Deployment time Hours (fill, carry, stack) Minutes (inflate + fill) Water Rails
Labour required Large team 2 people per element Water Rails
Max protection height ~0.9 m practical Up to 2 metres Water Rails
Reusability Single use — disposal cost Reusable many times Water Rails
Storage Large storage area needed Compact when deflated Water Rails
Fill material required Sand and bags (bought in) Water from site source Water Rails

Key Specifications

  • Protection range: 30 cm to 2 metres water height

  • Length: unlimited — modules connect end-to-end

  • Crew requirement: 2 people per element for handling and positioning

  • Fill method: water pump (one or more depending on length)

  • Overpressure kit supplied to manage air expulsion during filling

  • Full accessory range available: installation, use and storage accessories

Ideal Applications in Ireland

  • Urban flood defence for roads, underpasses and public spaces — Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick

  • Industrial site perimeter protection during river or coastal flood events

  • Historic building protection in Irish Heritage and conservation zones

  • OPW and local authority emergency flood response stockpiles

  • Temporary flood berms for construction sites and utility works near watercourses

Quick to implement, WATER RAILS ® ensures protection against the flooding of roads, industrial sites, historic or strategic.

Implementation of the barrier

They are implemented by pre-inflating them with air using the thermic air blower. Inflation allows easy handling of the flood barrier and gives it an optimal shape to increase its effectiveness. WATER RAILS ® is then filled with water using one or more pumps depending on the lengths of the tubes.

When the tube is filling with water, it retains its cylindrical shape, the air being expelled by the water entering, thanks to an overpressure kit (supplied).

The basic element is easily handled by two people. Compact, it can be easily stored.

To easily cope with an emergency and for rapid implementation, we offer a full range of accessories for installation, use and storage of our flood dike.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does a Water Rail flood barrier work?
It is pre-inflated with air for easy handling, then filled with water from a pump. As water enters, air exits via an overpressure valve. Multiple tubes connect to form a barrier of any length up to 2 metres high.

What flood height can Water Rails protect against?
Water Rails protect against flood levels from 30 cm up to 2 metres — suitable for both localised property protection and major infrastructure flood defence.

Are modular flood barriers reusable?
Yes. After a flood event, Water Rails are drained, deflated and stored compactly for future use — unlike sandbags, which must be disposed of.

Where can I buy flood barriers in Ireland?
SSI Environmental supply Water Rails flood dikes across Ireland. Contact us on 01 8665676 or at enquiries@ssienvironmental.ie.

 

To enquire about this product – call us on 01 8665676 / 087-9367065 or contact us here