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The Welsh government has set out its proposals for its interim standards on sustainable drainage systems (SuDS).
The devolved assembly is seeking to introduce the interim standards on an advisory basis until it determines “the most effective way to embed SuDS principles” into new developments in the longer term under the Flood and Water Management Act.
The draft guidelines set out that surface water runoff should be collected for use or allowed to infiltrate the ground, with limited discharges into the public sewerage systems.
The consultation also proposes that SuDS projects should be designed and constructed in a way which “minimises the use of scarce resources and energy”, in a cost effective manner, and that it maintains its structural integrity.
Other standards set out include provisions to: ensure designs minimise the potential pollution risks; enhance public spaces where possible; and increase biodiversity.
On the introduction of the consultation, the Welsh government said: “This will enable designers, property developers, local authorities and other interested parties to both demonstrate that they have taken account of the Welsh government’s planning advice on development and flood risk and to pilot the standards.”
It added: “It is vital that adoption and management arrangements for SuDS infrastructure and all drainage elements are agreed with the local authority or sewerage undertaker at the planning stage.
“Failure to do this is, in our view, poor practice due to the risk of the drainage system not being adopted, and the consequent risk of poor performance or drainage failure due to inadequate maintenance.”
The consultation closes on 30 April 2015.
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