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Sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) are an important tool in helping developers to offer the environmentally friendly, future-ready new build housing that people want to buy. However, in 2022, new research commissioned by Wavin revealed that public awareness of SuDS remains low. This is despite the fact SuDS are a key part of tackling the impacts of climate change and intensifying urbanisation, both of which increase the likelihood of flooding.
This lack of understanding about SuDS is surprising, particularly given the strong and growing public awareness of the climate emergency and desire for increased sustainability in the built environment. However, it highlights a knowledge gap that, if bridged, could significantly benefit developers. SuDS could be a point of differentiation, becoming a major proof point for sustainability credentials that provide strong reassurances about flood defences. What’s more, the research shows that developers can present SuDS as a multi-faceted benefit that buyers are willing to pay a premium for.
Essentially, SuDS are an important tool in helping developers to offer the environmentally friendly, future-ready new build housing that people want to buy.
Making SuDs mandatory
It is expected that, from 2024, SuDS will become mandatory on all new housing developments following a review by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. This review also removes the developers automatic right to connect surface water run off to the public sewer network. With this policy coming into place it is now, more than ever, important to look at public understanding on the importance of flood risk management in their homes.
Read the full research report, commissioned by Wavin, on the value of SuDS for new homeowners.
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Has there been any research into the long-term performance of SuDS when it consists of block paving with gaps between them to allow water to drain through them?
I ask because in 1988 I installed a block paving drive, with kiln-dried sand filling the gaps.
Over time the sand has been washed out, not least by cleaning using a pressure washer, and despite trying to replace the sand, wind- and water-borne soil from the garden has blown into the gaps, and a healthy crop of moss and weeds grows in that.
I can envisage the gaps in SuDS paving filling up with dust, soil, tyre grindings, brake dust, grime washed off cars, and all those other things associated with car parks, house drives and the like, converting it into ordinary paving which sheds water into the nearest drain.