With heavy UK rainfall continuing to break records and water stress increasing, managing surface water in urban developments is critical. The introduction of New Appointments and Variations (NAVs) and innovations to Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) have created significant advances.
So how can developers tackle the challenge of surface water against this current backdrop?
The role of NAVs in innovation
NAV adoption has challenged the incumbents’ monopoly, sparked welcome competition and fuelled innovation – especially in design and implementation of SuDS.
SuDS mimic natural processes to effectively manage rainfall using techniques like swales, attenuation basins and ponds. By taking the lead in integrating SuDS features, developers can support placemaking to create vibrant community spaces that also enhance biodiversity and help you meet BNG goals.
Who are ESP?
With over 20 years in the industry, we partner with contractors and developers to adopt and manage the network of gas, electricity, water, and wastewater services and infrastructure – providing support, technical guidance, and market-leading asset values tailored to your precise needs.
Regardless of how challenging your site is, our understanding, experience, and agility can help. We don’t shy away from complexity. We find solutions to success.
Partners in sustainable surface water management
The Integration of SuDS into your development plans requires expertise and a collaborative approach. NAVs such as ESP are at the forefront of this innovation, working closely with developers offering more than the traditional approach and guaranteeing adoption:
- Tailored SuDS solutions. Collaborating with your designers can help you optimise the design and adoption of SuDS features that mimic nature, support placemaking, and reduce your installation and maintenance costs.
- Early engagement benefits. Involving a NAV like ESP early on brings significant value engineering, such as reduced material use, lower installation costs, and allows ample time for incorporating these into the design.
- Earlier surface water vesting. NAVs like ESP will vest surface water management systems earlier than traditional water companies, releasing highway bonds, reducing maintenance periods and transferring your risk.
- Holistic adoption. Incorporating efficient surface water design features can also reduce pressure on sewer networks, such as integrating highway drainage, using boreholes for natural infiltration where suitable, discharging to private assets, and negotiating long-term discharge arrangements.
Maintenance for SuDS success
The long-term effectiveness of SuDS hinges on proper maintenance. As every site is unique, NAVs need to take a flexible and tailored approach that offers different
options. For example, ESP can:
- Collaborate with an onsite management company for tasks like grass cutting and litter removal.
- Partner with third-party groups like Parks Trusts or community organisations as part of placemaking initiatives.
- Offer a site-specific combination.
Additional surface water solutions
As well as SuDS, NAVs can provide several other solutions to manage rainwater – adding significant value to your developments while contributing to environmental sustainability and community well-being. ESP offers a wide range of surface water solutions to enhance your development, where suitable, including:
- Placemaking and blue-green infrastructure. Creating spaces that mirror the natural environment, making even more enjoyable and appealing places to live.
- LEAP and SuDS integration. Combining LEAP (Local Equipped Area for Play) features with SuDS can maximise the use of developable land while ensuring the space benefits the community.
- Watercourse discharge. Designing a network that discharges directly into a watercourse can significantly increase your development’s asset value.
- Headwall options. Including natural-looking designs that blend in seamlessly.
- Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG). Incorporating surface water management features, like ponds, in your planning strategy, rather than relying on tanks or underground solutions, can help you meet BNG requirements.
SuDS approval bodies (SAB) and developer choice
The government’s proposal to make local authorities the sole SuDS Approval Bodies (SAB) may reverse some of the progress made in managing surface water.
Unlike NAVs, local authorities are not subject to Ofwat requirements and might lack the required expertise and finances. Coupled with the potential for increased bureaucracy, this could cause delays and raise costs.
As DEFRA’s consultation approaches, housebuilders and developers need to be at the forefront of advocating SAB choice to ensure continued innovation and cost-effective
environmental solutions.
No matter what challenges your site throws at you – environmental or otherwise – ESP can help. From adopting the entire site’s utilities needs to providing insight and advice, we offer comprehensive support to increase your asset value, honour environmental obligations and build vibrant, healthy communities.
To find out how ESP solutions can benefit your development, get in touch today.