Councils ‘unsupported and underprepared’ on sustainable drainage

More than two thirds of local authorities in England and Wales doubt government commitment to sustainable drainage systems (Suds), a survey has revealed.

The survey, commissioned by Engineering Nature’s Way, asked how ready local authorities felt to implement Suds and operate as Suds Approving Bodies (SABs).

Of 149 local authority officers surveyed, 60 per cent said they were not sufficiently prepared to take on the SAB role, while 75 per cent felt they needed further training.

Anne McIntosh MP, chair of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee, criticised government for a “lack of urgency” on the issue. She encouraged water companies to follow the example of Yorkshire Water, which serves her constituency, and lobby for a bigger role.

“Too much responsibility has been put on local authorities and they shouldn’t be under this pressure,” she said. “Water companies should oversee (Suds) operation and maintenance.”

Anglian Water flood risk manager John Glerum was not surprised by the findings. “Introducing Suds has been a slow process. We would have preferred it to happen much quicker but it has taken a long time and this has created a lot of uncertainty,” he said.

Government does not expect to introduce compulsory standards for Suds until 2014. Glerum said water companies like Anglian Water would be working with local authorities to oversee the process. “Local authorities will be working to a high standard but they need some sort of guidance from government.”

Another concern was guidance on the operation and maintenance of Suds after their construction. “Government needs to provide clarity on who should pay for Suds going forward as this is a concern for all parties involved,” he added.

Glerum said he would express his concerns at a workshop on Suds hosted by Defra next week.