Water Shortages & SuDS in a Soggy Summer

It may seem odd to be talking water shortage in a very soggy summer but the fact of the matter is that water shortages are an issue in some areas and will only increase with time.

As an illustration MP for South Cambridgeshire, Anthony Browne appears to be unimpressed with the government’s development plans for the area: “unless the Government can say where the water will come from, it’s plans are dead on arrival”.

Is the answer more reservoirs? In some cases that will obviously help. More long term we need a more rational approach to the use of water, both the water in our taps and the water that falls from the sky.

Building regulations are slowly making dwellings more water efficient by requiring designers to utilise a range of water reducing features to new properties. Of course we can all do our bit by getting out that watering can rather than the hose.

Considering rainfall we are slowing awaking to the realisation that trying to get rainwater into the sewers as quickly as possible and thereby often causing flooding downstream may not be the brightest idea. This is where Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) come in, where the aim is both to recharge the aquifers from which we draw so much of our drinking water and retain water for use on site. Where these outcomes are not possible a range of options are available to reduce the potential for flooding. These range from green, brown or blue rooves, water butts and rain gardens to attenuation tanks fitted with flow control. There is more information on our Drainage Strategy page.

By all means give me Peter George a call (07765 232995) or email (SuDS@gosolve.co.uk) if you wish to discuss your project.