MAIN FEATURE


Schedule 3 of the 2010 Flood and


Water Management Act would require sustainable drainage solutions for


runoff from new development in the UK.


requirement for a bond until they have performed through a wet winter.


Retrofit


There will be a similar focus on reducing inflow and infiltration from existing developments. There are already pilot projects of water butts and rain gardens on roof drainage, disconnection of large car parks and SuDS retrofit on roads and public spaces. This will accelerate.


All of this work will impact on local communities whether in their streets, pavements or driveways and gardens. Water


companies are already learning how to engage with communities to get their agreement to the work, but this consideration for residents needs to extend through to finished construction as well. So what are the implications for the supply chain?


New skills will be required: • Pipe lining and sealing to reduce infiltration.


• Landscape gardening skills both to implement SuDS and to restore private gardens after carrying out drainage work.


There may also need to be different ways of working. To work in or close to private property we may need to emphasise speed and engagement over lowest cost. Rather than having a sequence of specialist teams who follow on from one another we may need to use small multi-skilled teams to complete projects from start to finish with no delays and no breaks in communication.


Conclusion


The good news for the supply chain is that there will be plenty of work to go around for the next 25 years. The bad news is that adaptation will be needed on how to deliver that work.


Written by Martin Osborne, Director, Hemdean Consulting and owner of The DWMP Blog


Check out Martin’s blog on LinkedIn. 8 | February 2025 | draintraderltd.com


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