Rainwater management
At Wessex Water, we are committed to creating better outcomes for customers and minimising our impact on the environment.
That's why we won’t accept any new rainwater connections into our foul public sewerage network.
With changing weather patterns and increasing pressure on natural resources, how we manage rainwater from existing properties, highways and new developments plays a critical role in the operation of storm overflows, the wellbeing of people and the protection of the environment.
Better rainwater management
The sustainable alternative is that all rainwater must be dealt with in accordance with the principles of ‘Better Rainwater Management’, those being:
- Rainwater should first and foremost be considered as a resource, captured where it lands and re-used where possible and
- Rainwater should be returned to the environment as close to where it landed as possible and never contaminated with sewage
The Sustainable Drainage Hierarchy
Better Rainwater Management principles are supported by and complement the ‘Sustainable Drainage Hierarchy’.
The fundamental principle is that rainwater must be discharged as high up the hierarchy of drainage options as is reasonably practicable. It would need to be proven that a discharge option was not possible before the next option in the hierarchy could be considered.
In addition to the measures outlined with the hierarchy, we also actively encourage the use of rainwater and grey water harvesting system to support rainwater re-use.
| Most sustainable |
|---|
| 1. Ground (infiltration) |
| 2. Waterbody |
| 3. Highway drain |
| 4. Surface water sewer |
| 5. Combined sewer |
| Least sustainable |
Building sustainable homes
For new property development we offer a range of financial incentives which reflect the fact that sustainable development will have less of an impact on our network. These discounts are available as reductions to our infrastructure charges, which are payable by developers who make a connection to our network for the first time; or where an existing property is converted or re-developed.
More information on building sustainable homes.
Need help?
Our Planning Liaison team are on hand to talk through your specific circumstances and can provide advice and guidance on what to do next. For more information please visit Planning and capacity or you can contact the team here.