Retrofitting to manage surface water (C713F)

As urban areas develop, natural drainage processes are changed. Paved areas are constructed and piped drainage systems built. Yet they deprive communities of the many benefits of natural drainage processes. A different approach is needed to managing surface water run-off to sustain communities that are pleasant and vibrant places to live in. This guidance sets out a process to achieve this. It challenges many of the current conventions employed to manage surface water run-off. To do this it integrates the principles of urban design with surface water management.

As well as dealing with the engineering aspects, the guidance covers the organisational and statutory aspects of drainage, the need for adequate funding, appraisal approaches, how different agencies can work better together, how public expectations can be better managed and why incentives and disincentives are important.