- Consistent approach to sustainable drainage systems set to be
incorporated into new developments in England.
- Changes will reduce risk of flooding, storm overflow
discharges and pollution caused by surface water runoff.
- Public consultation due to launch later this year will help
to shape new approach, with implementation expected during 2024.
New developments and the
environment will benefit from a reduced risk of flooding and
pollution thanks to a new approach to drainage.
The recommendation to make
sustainable drainage systems mandatory to new developments in
England is the result of the Government’s review – published
today (10 January). This will reduce the risk of surface water
flooding, pollution and help alleviate the pressures on our
traditional drainage and sewerage systems.
New developments can
inadvertently add to surface and sewer flood risk by covering
permeable surfaces like grassland and soil that would otherwise
assist in dealing with heavy rainfall.
The new approach to drainage
will ensure sustainable drainage systems are designed to reduce
the impact of rainfall on new developments by using features such
as soakaways, grassed areas, permeable surfaces and wetlands.
This reduces the overall amount of water that ends up in the
sewers and storm overflow discharges. Certain features such as
tanks and water butts also allow for water reuse and reduce
pressures on water resources.
Following today’s publication
of the review, regulations and processes for the creation of
sustainable drainage systems at new developments will now be
devised, through the implementation of Schedule 3 to the Flood
and Water Management Act 2010. Implementation of the new approach
is expected during 2024.
Environment Minister
said:
“Our traditional drainage
systems are under increasing pressure from the effects of climate
change, urbanisation and a growing
population.
“The benefits of sustainable
drainage systems are many – from mitigating flood risk by
catching and storing surplus water and reducing storm
overflow discharges, to enhancing local nature in the heart of
our developments and helping with harvesting valuable rain
water.
“Taking a more consistent and
effective approach to sustainable drainage systems will improve
the resilience of our drainage and sewer infrastructure, while
reaping these broader benefits.”
Schedule 3 provides a framework
for the approval and adoption of drainage systems,
a sustainable drainage system approving body within unitary
and county councils, and national standards on the design,
construction, operation, and maintenance of sustainable drainage
systems for the lifetime of the development. It also makes the
right to connect surface water runoff to public sewers
conditional upon the drainage system being approved before any
construction work can start.
Government will now give
consideration to how Schedule 3 will be implemented, subject to
final decisions on scope, threshold and process, while also being
mindful of the cumulative impact of new regulatory burdens on the
development sector.
This will include a public
consultation later this year, which will collect views on the
impact assessment, national standards and statutory
instruments.
ENDS
Notes to
editors:
There will be exemptions for
smaller developments, with thresholds being determined through
the upcoming consultation period.
In order to achieve better
rainwater management, the government committed to publishing the
review and decision regarding implementation of Schedule 3 to the
Flood and Water Management Act 2010 as part of its Storm Overflow
Discharge Reduction Plan, published last year.
Examples of developments that
have incorporated sustainable drainage systems effectively
-
- Bristol University Auditorium is an example of using a blue
roof to provide storage volume for attenuating storm events. This
was fitted with a green roof to reduce the rate of surface water
runoff.
- At Eddington in North West Cambridge, rainwater from
sustainable drainage systems is harvested to reduce drinking
water consumption to 80 litres per person per day.
- The Lamb Drove residential development of 35 affordable homes
on a one-hectare site in Cambridge has observed reductions in
concentrations of a variety of pollutants and other water quality
indicators including heavy metal concentrations, and seen a boost
in wildlife as a result of features such as permeable pavings,
and retention ponds.
