In early February, the Welsh Government launched a consultation for interim non-statutory standards for sustainable urban drainage (SuDS). Schedule 3 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010, which would have required new developments to include SuDS that comply with national standards, has not been enacted. In the absence of these standards, the Welsh Government is proposing interim standards on an advisory basis until it determines the most effective way to implement SuDS in the long term.

Proper maintenance of SuDS is vital to ensure that they function effectively over their design life. As such, adoption and management arrangements between local and sewerage authorities is essential during the planning stage. The interim standards will enable designers, property developers, local authorities, and other interested parties to pilot the standards, so that they can be revised before reaching statutory status.

Comments on the consultation are due April 30.