EWSC Project Reports

WSP, commissioned by United Utilities (UU) under the Enabling Water Smart Communities (EWSC) innovation programme, conducted a comprehensive analysis to evaluate the whole-life benefit-cost of high-quality Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) compared to low-quality SuDS. The study addresses a key question: Can high-quality SuDS deliver greater benefits than low-quality SuDS without incurring additional costs?

The report makes recommendations including:

• Industry bodies and professional organisations should promote clear, shared, definitions of high-quality SuDS.

• Policy frameworks should require consideration of high-quality SuDS at the earliest planning stages.

• Industry use of Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) tools should be promoted.