New Working Group for Sustainable Urban Drainage
Issued on 1 April 1998 - Ref 16/98

A Sustainable Urban Drainage Working Party has been set up to encourage development that does not result in pollution of the aquatic environment. This will be done by promoting policies and design solutions for sustainable surface water drainage at new developments in Scotland.

Membership of the Sustainable Urban Drainage Scottish Working Party (SUDS Working Party) includes East of Scotland Water, West of Scotland Water, North of Scotland Water Authority, CIRIA, The Scottish Office; Scottish Environment Protection Agency; Scottish Housebuilders Association; COSLA; Society of Chief Officers of Transportation in Scotland (SCOTS); and the Scottish Society of Directors of Planning (SSDP).

The Working Party is chaired by Colin Bayes of SEPA who said:

"SUDS Working Party believes that the aim of sustainable urban drainage will only be achieved through the co-operation of all the organisations involved in urban development. By the year 2010 there will be another quarter of a million homes in Scotland, with all their supporting roads and car parking, so it is vital that a more sustainable approach is taken to ensure that further urban development doesn't result in pollution.

"To this end the Working Party will promote a partnership approach to sharing the responsibility for developing sustainable surface water drainage systems, and protecting the aquatic environment.

"A top priority for SUDS Working Party is the production of a design manual for Scotland which will give designers and engineers practical advice on sustainable urban drainage systems. It is intended that a working draft for the national design manual will be available by December 1998."

The aims of the SUDS Working Party over the next few months are:

• Co-ordinate research into Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems already in use in Scotland
• Develop a framework in which Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems can be applied
• Produce a set of policies and a design manual for Sustainable Urban Drainage in Scotland
• Promote a better understanding of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems including their economic, social and environmental effects

ENDS

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