RAINWATER MANAGEMENT


technical expertise, merchants can strengthen customer relationships while helping developers deliver compliant, resilient drainage solutions that perform for decades.”


It’s not just developers and building contractors that need support from merchants when it comes to managing rainwater. Award- winning landscaper and Bradstone Assured installer Darren Plumridge understands the importance of merchants having the right technical knowledge in order to make the most of SuDs selling opportunities. The fundamental principle, he says, is that surface water from driveways and paved areas should be managed within the property boundary. Water should not discharge onto public highways, neighbouring land or into existing mains drainage systems.


“While these requirements have existed for many years, the introduction of SuDS legislation brought greater focus to how surface water is controlled. Today, homeowners and contractors are increasingly expected to demonstrate where rainwater will go and how it will be managed,” he says.


Here too, Plumridge debunks the common misconception that surface water can simply be directed into roadside drains. “In reality, highway drainage is intended to serve the road network rather than private properties,” he says. “Failure to manage runoff correctly can lead to compliance issues and potential problems during future surveys or sales. “For merchants, understanding these requirements can help shape conversations around drainage products and ensure customers consider water management at the start of a project rather than as an afterthought.”


He agrees that permeable paving remains one of the most misunderstood drainage solutions. “A common mistake is to view permeable paving as simply a different paving product. In reality, it is a complete drainage system that relies on the correct aggregates and sub-base materials to allow water to infiltrate through the construction. If conventional materials are substituted within the build-up, the system may look compliant but will not deliver the required drainage performance.” Other options depend on factors such as ground conditions, gradients and available space include soakaways and drainage channels.


“Soakaways remain one of the most WATER


REUSE IN THE SPOTLIGHT


As demand for sustainable water solutions grows, industry leaders, policy makers, water companies, developers and manufacturers gathered in Central London on 8 September for the Water Reuse Summit: Connecting Policy, Practice and


Innovation. T


he event was delivered by Waterwise, with support from Marsh Industries and Stormsaver, and aimed to explore how the UK can accelerate the adoption of water reuse technologies to strengthen long-term water resilience.


As increasing pressure on water resources, population growth and new housing requirements continue to challenge the UK’s infrastructure, water reuse is rapidly moving from a niche sustainability measure to a mainstream strategic necessity. The summit will bring together representatives from across government, industry, academia and the water sector to examine the practical and policy changes needed to increase uptake.


The event reflected growing momentum behind initiatives designed to reduce demand on potable water supplies while supporting economic development and future housing growth. Marsh Industries business development director, Michael Harrison, says that water reuse technologies are becoming increasingly relevant to merchants serving the residential, commercial and infrastructure sectors. “Solutions such as rainwater harvesting, stormwater capture, greywater recycling, condensate recovery and intelligent water storage are becoming more commonplace within building specifications. This trend is creating new opportunities for merchants to broaden their product offering and support customers with practical water management solutions.” For merchants, he says that the shift presents opportunities beyond product supply alone. As water reuse technologies become incorporated into planning, sustainability and environmental requirements, distributors with strong technical knowledge will be well positioned to support contractors and developers throughout the specification and installation process. Among the topics presented via Anglian Water, Affinity Water, Marsh Industries and Stormsaver, were discussion of policy challenges and debate on the actions required to increase adoption of water reuse schemes across the UK.


A particular focus will be placed on demonstrating how proven technologies can be deployed across housing, commercial developments and critical infrastructure projects to reduce potable water consumption while improving resilience.


“At Marsh Industries we aim to showcase solutions that support water reuse strategies, including rainwater harvesting systems, stormwater storage, condensate recovery infrastructure and intelligent monitoring technologies that provide visibility over system performance and water availability,” Harrison says. More in-depth coverage of the event will appear in BMJ’s October issue.


Care Co Invicta Flow Moonstone from Brett Landscaping


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common methods of managing surface water, allowing rainwater to collect and gradually disperse into the surrounding ground. However, their effectiveness depends heavily on site conditions. Location is also critical. Soakaways should be positioned away from property foundations, as excessive ground movement caused by changing moisture levels can potentially affect nearby structures,” he says. Linear drainage channels, on the other hand, are particularly useful where driveways or patios fall towards a property or site boundary and are often used in conjunction with soakaways or other drainage outfalls.


Plumridge adds that, for merchants supplying


both hard and soft landscaping products, rain gardens can create opportunities to recommend planting, decorative aggregates, edging products and other complementary materials.


“By asking a few simple questions about site conditions, levels and the intended route for water runoff, merchants can help identify potential challenges early on and guide customers towards a more suitable solution. This not only reduces the risk of costly remedial work but also helps ensure drainage is considered as part of the overall landscaping design rather than as an afterthought,” he says.


BMJ www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net September 2026


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