Water advice
Browse our advice about sustainable energy planning.
Planning for sustainable water managementWater management plans can help to reduce water use, for example by introducing high water efficiency standards for new and refurbished buildings.
Tags: water, regions and subregions, cities and towns
Designing for sustainable water useBuildings and neighbourhoods need to use water more efficiently.
Tags: water, neighbourhoods, buildings and spaces
Using green infrastructure to alleviate flood riskGreen infrastructure networks can be used to reduce surface water run-off and store flood water.
Tags: green infrastructure, public space, water, regions and subregions, cities and towns, neighbourhoods
Establishing surface water management plansLocal authorities should use surface water management plans to manage flood risk, by creating more natural, sustainable drainage systems.
Tags: water, regions and subregions, cities and towns
Integrating sustainable drainage systems into planning and designSustainable drainage systems (SuDS) should form an integral part of neighbourhood and site planning.
Tags: green infrastructure, public space, water, neighbourhoods
Sustainable drainage systems (SuDS)Sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) manage surface water run-off in a way that stimulates natural drainage systems.
Tags: water, regions and subregions, cities and towns, neighbourhoods
Protecting floodplainsCatchment flood management plans and strategic flood risk assessments should protect floodplains.
Tags: green infrastructure, water, regions and subregions
Developing water cycle strategiesWater cycle studies, which explore the local capacity for development in terms of water resources, should increasingly inform the preparation of planning strategies.
Tags: water, cities and towns
Managing water demand within a river catchmentGreen infrastructure can be used to manage water supply and distribution.
Tags: water, regions and subregions
Reducing the demand for waterEducating consumers about how to conserve water can significantly reduce consumption.
Tags: water, cities and towns, neighbourhoods
Making water use policyThe Government wants to reduce water consumption by 20 per cent per person by 2030.
Tags: national level, water, regions and subregions
Integrating water management into site and building designAt the site and building scale it is important that buildings are well integrated into the landscape and contribute to the overarching hydrology of the site.
Tags: water, buildings and spaces
Water management in public spacesPublic space needs to be considered in the context of wider issues of water management.
Tags: public space, water, neighbourhoods, buildings and spaces
Preserving wetlands and habitatsExisting wetlands provide natural sites for surface water management and treatment and are therefore important assets for the future.
Tags: water, cities and towns, neighbourhoods
Establishing flood risk strategiesCoastlines, rivers and catchments often form or cross boundaries and therefore need to be planned for and approached strategically.
Tags: water, regions and subregions
Separating sewersUntil the 1950s, most sewers in the UK were constructed as, or evolved to become, combined systems – taking both sewage and storm water.
Tags: water, cities and towns
Using SUDS to manage pollutantsSustainable drainage systems (SUDS) offer a useful mechanism for managing pollutants on-site and removing the burden for treatment in the wider water system.
Tags: water, neighbourhoods
CABE and Urban Practitioners
with the cities of Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham and Sheffield