In order to combat water pollution and protect the communities from flooding, the government updates the national standards for sustainable drainage systems (SUDS) for the first time in a decade.
The new standards that are welcomed by the construction industry will provide developers clearer instructions to create rainwater management systems that imitate the natural environment and achieve better results.
The proposed characteristics include rooms for collecting and filtering rainwater that alleviate the pressure on our crumbling sewage system and prevent the overcrowding of pollution into our waterways.
Incomplete surfaces such as streets and office buildings increase the risk of flooding in severe rainfall, since the excess water does not take place anywhere. By introducing materials for absorbing water, new developments are better protected against floods.
The new standards also promote design features such as green roofs and curve. These offer a place for nature to thrive and improve the energy efficiency of a building – to reduce energy bill, to bring the municipalities to mental and physical health advantages by expanding access to nature and support for wild animals.
The updated standards mean that the government endeavors to build 1.5 million houses without delaying the planning process, and follows the record that is secured from the investment of the private sector to clean up our rivers, lakes and seas.
Water Minister Emma Hardy said:
The government will introduce new standards to combat water pollution, protect the municipalities from flooding and make our new cities beautiful.
The relaxation and growth of nature can go hand in hand, and these new standards will enable the sustainable building of 1.5 million houses as part of the change plan.
The most important functions of the new standards include:
- Reduction of flood risk through active management of surface water on site
- Improvement of water quality before entering rivers and streams
- Offer community advantages by creating more attractive and resilient places to live and work
- Prioritization of solutions that improve biological diversity and green areas
- Promotion of water efficiency by enabling rainwater use by harvesting and collecting systems
- Long -term maintenance and performance emphasize
In order to support the government's change plan, the updated standards with the framework for national planning policy are in accordance with and will add major planning reforms that will take place later this year. Developers are encouraged to be innovative and demonstrate how their systems meet the results instead of following a uniform checklist.