Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems - latest guidance
In February 2018, the ICE SuDS Task Group produced a set of detailed, easy-to-follow visual route maps, sponsored by surface water drainage experts ACO Technologies.
All plans and designs for new housing or commercial developments should address the issue of sustainable urban drainage systems (SuDS) from the earliest stages. This enables the best SuDS to be delivered to mitigate flooding risk, avoid overloading the drainage network and provide water quality, biodiversity and public amenity benefits.
However, regulations and custom and practice vary across the UK nations and between different local authorities, making the processes of SuDS delivery sometimes confusing.
The purpose of these new route maps is to provide an overview of the main stages of delivering SuDS, with numerous relevant hyperlinks at the appropriate point.
This will help both existing SuDS practitioners and built environment professionals new to SuDS to understand the main processes and available resources.
Although not a fixed legal requirement in England and Northern Ireland, SuDS are a legal obligation in Scotland and soon will be in Wales.
Water UK, the water industry body, is also developing more rigorous standards.
Who should read the new guidance?:
The ICE/ACO route maps cover key delivery stages: from pre-planning, design and construction, to adoption and maintenance. There are also numerous links to further detailed information online.
Specifically:
- Architects.
- Planners.
- Developers.
- Construction contractors.
- Water engineers.
- Chartered environmentalists.
To find out more and download the guidance, see here.
This article was originally published here on 14th February 2018 by ICE. It was written by Anna Plodowski.
--The Institution of Civil Engineers
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
The benefits of engaging with insulation manufacturers
When considering ground floor constructions.
Lighting Industry endorses Blueprint for Electrification
The Lighting Industry Association fully supports the ECA Blueprint as a timely, urgent call to action.
BSRIA Sentinel Clerk of Works Training Case Study
Strengthening expertise to enhance service delivery with integrated cutting-edge industry knowledge.
Impact report from the Supply Chain Sustainability School
Free sustainability skills, training and support delivered to thousands of UK companies to help cut carbon.
The Building Safety Forum at the Installershow 2025
With speakers confirmed for 24 June as part of Building Safety Week.
The UK’s largest air pollution campaign.
Future Homes Standard, now includes solar, but what else?
Will the new standard, due to in the Autumn, go far enough in terms of performance ?
BSRIA Briefing: Cleaner Air, Better tomorrow
A look back at issues relating to inside and outside air quality, discussed during the BSRIA briefing in 2023.
Restoring Abbotsford's hothouse
Bringing the writer Walter Scott's garden to life.
Reflections on the spending review with CIAT.
Retired firefighter cycles world to raise Grenfell funds
Leaving on 14 June 2025 Stephen will raise money for youth and schools through the Grenfell Foundation.
Key points for construction at a glance with industry reactions.
Functionality, visibility and sustainability
The simpler approach to specification.
Architects, architecture, buildings, and inspiration in film
The close ties between makers and the movies, with our long list of suggested viewing.
SELECT three-point plan for action issued to MSPs
Call for Scottish regulation, green skills and recognition of electrotechnical industry as part of a manifesto for Scottish Parliamentary elections.
UCEM becomes the University of the Built Environment
Major milestone in its 106-year history, follows recent merger with London School of Architecture (LSE).
Professional practical experience for Architects in training
The long process to transform the nature of education and professional practical experience in the Architecture profession following recent reports.