SUSTAINABILITY
GETTING TO KNOW SUDS S
ustainability is nothing new. It’s been on the agenda for construction projects for the last 15 years, which have seen a number of significant sustainably-led targets implemented in the UK. From the Climate Change Act – passed in 2008 – to the 2017 publication of the ‘Clean Growth Strategy’, stakeholders have been looking at ways in which construction projects can be greener.
There are different rules across the UK. In Wales, the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 came into effect in 2019, requiring new developments to include SuDS features that comply with Welsh national standards. In England, rules were introduced in April 2020 which allowed water and sewerage companies to adopt a wider range of sewer types, including some SuDS. According to England’s ‘National Planning Policy Framework’, major developments should incorporate SuDS unless there is “clear evidence that it would be inappropriate”.
In Scotland, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has its own SuDS guidance, detailing the various responsibilities across the water network. SEPA requires ‘effective, appropriate SuDS’ on all new construction developments, with the exception
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of single dwelling, or where discharge is directly into coastal water.
“It is crucial that merchants are aware of the latest legislation surrounding SuDS. Not only does it ensure merchants can point builders, engineers and specifiers to the appropriate products, but it also provides a competitive advantage,” says Oliver Collins, marketing manager at ACO Water Management. “Customers are more likely to return if they feel assured that their merchant understands the latest legislation and how it impacts their project.”
He explains that there is a range of SuDS communities, such as susdrain, which merchants can use to gain guidance and updated information on the various legislative changes. “ACO, for example, has created a webinar addressing practical and sustainable water management, and continues to work with industry groups, such as BALI, to present updates on SuDS.”
Since 2013, one in ten of all new homes in England have been built on land at the highest risk of flooding, amounting to 85,000 homes. When coupled with the latest news from National Trust, which produced a map to highlight the stately homes at risk of flooding and erosion, merchants can expect focus to
With different rules across the UK on the adoption of sustainable drainage systems (SuDS), and upcoming legislation expected to arrive, 2021 could be a significant year for drainage.
start shifting towards understanding the latest SuDS developments.
“SuDS are not new,” Collins adds. “It is important for merchants to ensure products stocked embrace the entire surface water management sequence. ACO Water Management’s own model of SuDS service chain – Collect, Clean, Hold, and Release for example – highlights all aspects of the cycle, from the point where rainwater lands through to where it re-enters the natural water environment. Ultimately, this helps to ensure the provision of cost-effective, sustainable water management for projects.” Another key development to consider is the highly anticipated and delayed Environment Bill, which Collins says is likely to draw further attention to sustainable practices. “It is worth noting that the Environment Bill is expected to make biodiversity a much more prominent part of the planning process,” he explains. “This will particularly impact those working on highways and housing projects, given the historical disruption to habitats that occurs. As such, merchants should anticipate more questions on products and systems which support and protect biodiversity.” If biodiversity does become a key priority as part of the Environment Bill, merchants
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net May 2021
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