The Building Regulations - Part H

In summary, this regulation states that, where practical, surface water drainage from any building work be drained, preferably to a soakaway or infiltration system. If this is not possible then the next preferred option is to drain to a watercourse, with connection to a sewer as the last choice.

Connection to a watercourse or sewer will invariably require flow control and attenuation and all of the options mentioned above can be provided using Hydro's infiltration, storage and flow control systems.

The Building Regulations 2000 - Drainage and Waste Disposal, Approved Document H (2002 Edition)

Planning Policy Statement 25 ( PPS25 )

This document sets out Government policy on development and flood risk aiming to ensure it is taken into account at all stages in the planning process to avoid inappropriate development in areas at risk of flooding, and to direct development away from areas of highest risk. Where new development is, exceptionally, necessary in such areas, the policy aims to make it safe, without increasing flood risk elsewhere, and, where possible, reduce flood risk overall.

Planning Policy Statement 25 : Development and Flood Risk

Planning Policy Statement 3 ( PPS3 )

This document underpins the delivery of the Government's strategic housing policy and provides guidance for planning authorities. One aspect of the guidance is the drive towards efficient use of land space which in turn leads to potential difficulties in some cases in incorporating above ground SUDS solutions such as ponds and swales, due to the space required. Consideration of Hydro's smaller-footprint, load bearing underground storage and treatment systems can often help achieve compliance.

Planning Policy Statement 3 : Housing

Code For Sustainable Homes

The Code measures the sustainability of a new home against categories of sustainable design, rating the whole home as a complete package. The Code uses a 1 to 6 star rating system to communicate the overall sustainability performance of a new home. This code will very likely become mandatory during 2008 and achievement of star ratings is dependent, amongst many requirements, on meeting various water management targets. Some of these targets will only be achievable through the use of SUDS and Rainwater Harvesting, both of which can be provided through the use of Hydro's systems.

The Code for Sustainable Homes and associated documents

The Water Framework Directive

The Water Framework Directive (WFD) came into force in December 2000 and was transposed into law in December 2003. It establishes a new legal framework for the protection, improvement and sustainable use of all water bodies in the environment across Europe, including all rivers, canals, lochs, estuaries, wetlands, coastal waters and underground water.

The main environmental objectives are to protect and improve the UK water environment. This will include preventing deterioration of aquatic ecosystems and, where possible, restore surface waters and groundwater damaged by pollution. It also includes bringing water abstraction, dams and engineering activities to 'good status' by 2015.

Hydro provide a range of systems to deal with reduction and/or removal of pollution from surface water discharges including sediment removal devices as well as unique up-flow filtration systems.

Details of The Water Framework Directive with links to the text of the directive can be found on the Europa website