Standard content for Members only
To continue reading this article, please login to your Utility Week account, Start 14 day trial or Become a member.
If your organisation already has a corporate membership and you haven’t activated it simply follow the register link below. Check here.
United Utilities has outlined plans to work with housing developers to ramp up the use of sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) across its region.
The work will mean 58,000 homes being constructed across the northwest will feature systems that divert rainwater away from sewer networks to prevent them being overwhelmed during heavy rainfall.
SuDS form part of the company’s overarching work to improve river health and minimise the impact of the water system on the environment.
UU is proactively working with developers to add 38 sustainable drainage systems in housing schemes and make these a part of their networks.
The first three, which have been adopted, will be managed by the water company to direct 37 megalitres of water away from combined sewer systems into the earth.
The company said 35 more SuDS schemes are in the pipeline to further reduce the amount of rainwater entering sewer networks, which can lead to discharges from overflows.
The company began incentivising builders to design water efficient homes with sustainable surface water drainage in 2018.
Graham Morley developer services manager at UU said: “Now we are ramping up our efforts and working with developers from the outset of projects to ensure that the SuDS they build can be adopted onto our network.
“As well as easing pressure on the sewer network, managing rainwater creatively through sustainable drainage supports nature in urban spaces, improves visual amenity, creates natural habitats, and benefits wildlife.”
Legislation has been approved but not yet come into effect, which will mandate the inclusion of sustainable drainage in new property development schemes. The water sector has been among the voices calling for this to become legislation. SuDS have been a requirement in Wales since 2019 when Schedule 3 of the water management act was enacted. It has long been anticipated in England but expected to come into effect this year.
The first SuDS systems have been at developments in Carlisle and Wetheral, with the third system developed in Lancaster with developers keen to work with the water company for early adoption of the drainage systems.
Owing to the age of sewer networks in the northwest, there are more combined sewers and proportionately more overflows in the region than other parts of the UK. The company has already surpassed its 2025 reduction target for overflows and is investing heavily in mitigations, such as SuDS and clearing blockages to relieve pressure on sewers.
UU continues to offer a 90% reduction in infrastructure charges for properties that do not connect surface water drains to existing sewers.
Please login or Register to leave a comment.