Source · Select Committees · Environmental Audit Committee
Recommendation 82
82
Retrofitting urban areas with sustainable drainage systems can deliver multiple benefits in terms of nature...
Recommendation
Retrofitting urban areas with sustainable drainage systems can deliver multiple benefits in terms of nature recovery, air quality and flooding prevention. We recommend that Ministers review and, where appropriate, revise the criteria for the award of funds intended for flooding prevention and nature recovery so as to ensure that they support projects to retrofit sustainable drainage systems. We further recommend that, through its price review process and asset management plans, Ofwat allow adequate funding for water companies to identify areas for the retrofit of sustainable drainage systems. (Paragraph 378) Water quality in rivers 131
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
In 2020 the Government reviewed and made changes to partnership funding rules for flood grant in aid, promoting more nature-based solutions and surface water schemes such as sustainable drainage systems. The Government keeps its flood management policy and funding rules under review to reflect the latest risk and deliver appropriate projects. Approximately 34% of the 2,000 flood defence schemes planned for 2021–27 are for surface water management. These represent over £400 million of Government investment and will better protect over 50,000 properties. At least 100 of the planned projects have indicated that sustainable drainage is likely to form part of the solution. The Government fully supports the use of blue green infrastructure, such as sustainable drainage systems and grey water recycling to manage surface water, across existing and new communities. We have placed a greater emphasis on this in our 25 Year Environment Plan, Flood and Coastal Erosion Policy Statement and updated planning policy. Over the last 5 years Government has also introduced substantial new funding for nature-based solutions in England, for example schemes for tree planting and peatland restoration. Carefully designed and implemented nature-based solutions can deliver a range of benefits for climate, biodiversity and people, including mitigating surface water flooding and providing sustainable drainage. Through drainage and wastewater management plans we expect sewerage companies to fully assess wastewater network capacity. They will develop collaborative solutions with local authorities and other bodies who are responsible for parts of the drainage system in order to manage the challenges of a changing climate and extreme weather events. These solutions include retrofitting sustainable drainage systems where appropriate. Water companies will be investing over £1 billion between 2020–2025, to reduce the impact of flooding on communities across England and Wales. They have also proposed an additional £2.7 billion of environmental investment, through the Government’s green economic recovery fund.