RAINWATER MANAGEMENT SUDS: BUILDING T


he UK’s sewerage infrastructure is increasingly challenged by climate change, leading to more frequent and severe urban flooding.


Despite the benefits of sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) for managing rainfall and reducing sewer pressure, their adoption in new housing developments remains slow, even following Ofwat’s Code for Adoption guidance in 2021.


SuDS work by mimicking natural processes, allowing water to be absorbed back into the ground, stored or slowly released back into watercourses, reducing the strain on our conventional sewer systems. Richard Eddy, category manager at Underground and Utilities at Polypipe Building Products, says: “SuDS can have a major impact on the health and resilience of communities; therefore, understanding the key considerations for limiting the environmental impact of housing developments through effective drainage is critical if we are to work towards a more sustainable, flood-resilient future.


“However, the uptake of SuDS in the UK has been slow. This reluctance is often due to a mix of regulatory, practical and educational barriers. Yet, with the looming enforcement of Schedule 3 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 in England, it’s more important than ever for merchants, housebuilders and specifiers to understand and integrate these systems into their projects.” Eddy explains that one of the challenges is understanding the complex regulatory landscape. This is due to the varying interpretations of SuDS requirements across different local authorities, making it difficult to adopt a “one-size-fits-all” approach.


Mandatory adoption


He continues: “The regulatory landscape for drainage in the UK is undergoing significant changes that will have implications for all housing developments. One of the key updates is the introduction of Schedule 3 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 in England, making the inclusion of SuDS mandatory in all new residential developments larger than 100m2. Similar regulations have been in place in Wales since 2019.


“This change means that going forward, planning applications for relevant developments must include SuDS that comply


COMMUNITY RESILIENCE NOT ALL BAD


SuDS remain a grey area in construction with many councils adopting different approaches, meaning a “one-size-fits-all” approach isn’t possible. BMJ discovers more.


PLASTIC:


When plastic is used in the right way, for the right materials, it can be used to manage rainwater effectively. It’s important to not tar all plastics with the same brush.


P


with national standards for managing surface water.


“The aim is to encourage more sustainable water management practices, reduce flood risk, and enhance biodiversity and water quality in new developments. For merchants, this signifies the need to stay informed of the best practices in SuDS to help housebuilders select the right materials and systems in the planning and design stages of new projects, ensuring compliance with these regulations.”


Looking ahead


With the UK’s ambitious housing targets these challenges must be conquered to enable us to support this expansion, whilst also ensuring new developments comply with regulations. “Merchants, housebuilders and developers require support, guidance on the regulatory landscape, education and training on SuDS design and maintenance, and a push towards innovative drainage solutions,” he adds. “Building strong partnerships among housebuilders, local authorities and drainage experts is key to overcoming the challenges associated with implementing SuDS. This supports sustainable development and is crucial for building community resilience. As we face the challenges of climate change, our commitment to sustainable drainage systems becomes more than a regulatory compliance issue – it’s a vital component of creating healthy, resilient communities.” BMJ


April 2024 www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net


lastic has become something of a dirty word in mainstream media as pressure to hit environmental targets intensify.


However, when used in the right way, plastic has a huge role to play in construction, providing robust and long-term solutions for developments - up and down the country.


Martin Lambley, global product manager for Urban Climate Resilience at Wavin says: “Within construction, sustainability is invariably one of the key features in product selection but it’s important to avoid tarring all plastics with the same brush.” Increasingly, instances of heavy rainfall alongside the risks associated with building on flood-prone land mean that developers are faced with the challenge of providing robust mitigation against flooding. Lambley adds: “Plastic is often a main component of modern-day attenuation tanks. These large tanks play a pivotal role in providing resilience to developments, sitting underground and storing water during periods of heavy rainfall.”


He says Wavin’s AquaCell NG attenuation tank is a great example of a modern attenuation tank that is made from 100% recycled and recyclable plastic content. . “As contractors continue to take sustainability into account in their specification, merchants will continue to face questions about the viability of plastic as a material. It’s key that plastic remains a consideration as the future-proof solution that works alongside greener elements to provide the best of both worlds,” Lambley adds. BMJ


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