Climate change challenges drainage systems

New research suggests that the 30-year-old data water companies use to predict extreme rainfall may be underestimating by 40% the pressure drainage systems are under, with the figure rising to 60% by 2080 as climate change kicks in, according to the report "New climate data challenge sewer design," sponsored by the UK Water Industry Research.

Justin Taberham, the director of policy at the Chartered Institute of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) explained that Sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS) must be part of the planning process for new housing developments to meet the pressures of growing population, tighter legislation and climate change, he added. For more information, visit www.ciwem.org.uk.