Extreme UK weather conditions call for smarter home drainage systems
Friday 24th January 2025
Following weeks of extreme weather and freezing temperatures in the UK, we explore the role of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) in tackling climate challenges for modern housebuilding.
Climate change puts pressure on residential drainage
The UK is grappling with increasingly extreme weather conditions – heavy rainfall, days of freezing temperatures and droughts. According to Greenpeace UK, rising temperatures driven by climate change are intensifying rain and flooding, while also exacerbating water scarcity.
Warmer sea temperatures are fuelling stronger storms, increasing wind speeds, and driving water inland, all of which spell trouble for the UK’s urban areas. At the start of the year, severe flooding highlighted vulnerabilities in existing drainage systems, with the Environment Agency reporting that one in four properties in England could face flood risks by mid-century.
The need for innovative, sustainable drainage systems has never been greater.
Rising housing demands add pressure to existing infrastructure
The UK government’s target to build 1.5 million homes in the next five years comes with many challenges. Alongside planning reforms and revisions to green belt boundaries, new housing developments are increasingly situated on land with little or no existing drainage infrastructure.
This presents a dilemma – balancing eco-friendly building practices with the push to meet ambitious construction targets. Think tank Localis has reported that over 7,000 homes are planned for floodplain areas, creating serious flood risk concerns for future homeowners. While the research highlights the problem, manufacturers and developers must work to solve it.
Modern homes must be designed with resilience in mind, incorporating on-plot sustainable drainage systems that connect seamlessly with site-wide strategies. Without such measures, the construction industry risks worsening the impact of climate change on both communities and the environment.
What are Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS)?
SuDS offer a smart alternative to traditional drainage systems by managing surface water and flood risks in a way that aligns with natural water processes. By mimicking nature, SuDS help store rainwater, allowing it to infiltrate the ground or release slowly over time. This reduces the likelihood of flooding and improves water quality.
Polypipe Building Products’ below ground and above ground drainage solutions are ideal components of SuDS, helping housebuilders manage excessive rainfall and combat the effects of climate change. With 4.6 million UK properties at risk from surface water flooding, the time for action is now.
Overcoming barriers to SuDS adoption
Despite their benefits, implementing SuDS isn’t always straightforward. Challenges include:
- Fragmented regulations: The UK’s varied local standards make approvals complex.
- Upfront costs: Developers may be wary of initial investments, particularly when retrofitting older sites.
- Technical expertise: Designing SuDS requires detailed knowledge of site-specific conditions like soil types, topography, and hydrology.
To address these hurdles, collaboration and support are key. Policymakers, manufacturers, and developers must work together to create clear guidance and offer incentives. The Flood and Water Management Act 2010 promotes sustainable surface water management and will be bolstered by the long-awaited implementation of Schedule 3 in England, following its success in Wales.
Once fully adopted, Schedule 3 will require SuDS in all new residential developments over 100m², integrating sustainable drainage into the planning process and making it more accessible for developers.
The role of Polypipe in the drainage dilemma
Developers don’t have to tackle these challenges alone. Polypipe Building Product help housebuilders navigate SuDS implementation from the initial design stage, ensuring solutions are tailored to each site’s unique characteristics.
By customising systems to match the site’s natural water cycle, we can reduce the need for expensive engineering solutions while delivering maximum performance. This approach not only enhances environmental sustainability but also offers long-term cost savings.
Building for a resilient future
Sustainable drainage systems are vital to tackling the growing challenges of extreme weather, urbanisation, and climate change. By integrating innovative solutions like Polypipe Building Products' below and above ground drainage systems, developers can create homes that are built to last while safeguarding the environment.
For more information on how Polypipe can help your next development meet the challenges of sustainable drainage, visit Polypipe Building Products.