A novel method to drainage will help both new projects and the environment by lowering the danger of floods and pollution.
The Government’s evaluation, which was released today, resulted in the proposal to make sustainable drainage solutions required for new constructions in England (10 January). This reduces the danger of surface water floods, pollution, and puts less strain on our existing drainage and sewerage systems.
By covering permeable areas like grassland and soil that might normally aid in coping with heavy rains, new constructions may unwittingly increase surface and sewer flood risk.
The new drainage strategy will use features such as soakaways, grassed spaces, permeable surfaces, and wetlands to guarantee that sustainable drainage systems are intended to lessen the effect of rainfall on new constructions. This minimises the total quantity of water that ends up in sewers and storm drains. Tanks and water butts, for example, enable for water reuse and alleviate demand on water supplies.
Following the release of the review today, rules and methods for the construction of sustainable drainage systems for new sites will be developed in accordance with Schedule 3 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010. The new technique is planned to be implemented in 2024.
Environment Minister Rebecca Pow 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 establishes a framework for the approval and adoption of drainage systems, as well as a sustainable drainage system approving body within unitary and county councils, as well as national standards for the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of sustainable drainage systems over the development’s lifetime.
It also conditions the right to connect surface water runoff to public sewers on the drainage system being authorised before any building activity can begin.
The government will now assess how Schedule 3 will be implemented, subject to final decisions on scope, threshold, and procedure, while also keeping the cumulative effect of increased regulatory burdens on the development sector in mind.
A public consultation on the impact assessment, national standards, and legislative instruments will be held later this year.
»New developments and the environment will benefit from a new drainage approach«