Guidance
National standards for sustainable drainage systems
Non-statutory standards for the design, maintenance and operation of surface water drainage systems in England.
Applies to England
Documents
Details
The non-statutory standards can help you design, maintain and operate surface water drainage systems for:
- new developments
- retrofit sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) (although not all parts may be directly applicable)
They promote consistency and help ensure long-term performance and resilience.
SuDS manage surface water in a way that mimics natural processes, providing a wide range of benefits beyond traditional drainage methods. This makes SuDS essential for new development.
SuDS offer opportunities for:
- water reuse
- reducing flood risk by slowing and storing runoff
- improving water quality by filtering pollutants
- enhancing the visual quality of our environment and offering recreational and educational opportunities
- supporting biodiversity
You can refer to the previous standards on the National Archives website.
Updates to this page
Published 19 June 2025
Last updated 30 July 2025
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Added a link to the previous standards (on the National Archives website).
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First published.