Flood risk and drainage

The combined effects of climate change, urban growth, and population increases are putting significant pressure on surface water management. More frequent heavy rainfall and expanding impermeable surfaces (for example, buildings and roads) lead to high surface water run off.

Traditional drainage systems, relying on underground pipes and storage tanks, often can't handle the excess, resulting in flooding and pollution.

Flood risk and development

Read the Government guidance on how to take account of and address the risks associated with flooding in the planning process.

Flood risk in Dacorum

You can find out if you are at risk of flooding on the Government website.

Flood Risk Assessments (FRA)

If your proposed development is in a flood zone, you will need to submit a Flood Risk Assessment.

Sustainable drainage systems (SuDS)

Sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) are designed to control surface water run off close to where it falls. They can be nature-based (such as green roofs, ponds and wetland) or engineered (such as permeable paving and soakaways). They are designed to mimic natural drainage as closely as possible, contributing to reducing the causes and impacts of flooding.  

A sustainable drainage strategy (containing information on the proposed sustainable drainage systems) is needed for all:

• major development with surface water drainage
• development with surface water drainage in an area at risk of flooding, or at high risk of surface water flooding.

More information

Find out more about sustainable drainage systems. Please also refer to the National Planning Policy Framework.

For more advice about surface water drainage, visit the Hertfordshire County Council website.

Water conservation

Our policy on water conservation and Sustainable Drainage is set out in Policy 124 of the  Dacorum Borough Local Plan 1991-2011 (PDF 8MB).

Try to design your scheme so that it reduces the amount of mains water you use. For example:

• install water-saving devices such as low-flush toilets and spray taps
• collect rainwater for outdoor use in water butts.

For more information, please see our  Water conservation guidance (PDF 395KB).