In a move hailed as a long-overdue step towards futureproofing new developments, yesterday (19 June, 2025) the Government released updated non-statutory standards for Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) – the first revision in over a decade.
While the new guidance stops short of making SuDS mandatory, the standards form part of broader efforts to build climate-resilient communities and reduce the growing risk of flooding across the country.
Reacting to the announcement, surface water management experts, Wavin, have welcomed the announcement, but urge the Government not to forget about delayed legislation like Schedule 3 of the Flood and Water Management Act.
Martin Lambley, Global Product Manager for Urban Climate Resilience at Wavin said:
“Today is a gamechanger for the water industry, and it hasn’t come a moment too soon. The government has finally promised major investment in flood defences and is making positive steps towards embracing truly sustainable drainage solutions (SuDS). For too long communities across the country have been relying on sub-standard flood defences, putting millions of homes at risk from unpredictable weather.
“What will give the industry real hope are the plans to create a transparent government website giving an update on each new infrastructure project, which is critical for pipeline planning for suppliers.
“Away from the large sums of money, there is one major announcement not making the headlines it should – the update on SuDS. New housebuilding must go hand-in-hand with water management, yet for too long it has been neglected by developers.
“These new standards offer important technical guidance for designing, maintaining and operating SuDS, and will be a helpful tool for the industry. But let’s be clear: these are non-statutory guidelines – not legally binding requirements. They must not be seen as a substitute for the long-overdue implementation of critical legislation like Schedule 3 of the Flood and Water Management Act, which would make SuDS a legal requirement for new developments.
“Without legislative backing, too many developments risk falling through the cracks, comprising both resilience and innovation. The government must continue pressing ahead, starting with a clear, enforceable regulatory framework that ensures truly sustainable solutions.”
