Illegal Sewage Spills Highlight Drainage Risks for Developers
Why drainage evidence is under the microscope
Thousands of ‘dry‑day’ sewage discharges reported this year have shifted public and regulatory attention onto foul and surface‑water systems. In sensitive catchments, planning officers are tightening validation lists and insisting on site‑specific drainage evidence. For developers, generic assumptions are no longer enough—especially where downstream networks are already stressed.
The quickest way to demonstrate responsibility is to test, measure, and document. Field‑verified Infiltration Testing confirms whether infiltration is feasible and at what rate; if not, it provides defensible inputs for attenuation and controlled discharge design. Paired with a Phase 1 Desktop Study, you also evidence historic pollution risks, hydrological context, and receptors—showing that the drainage concept has been selected with full knowledge of constraints.
Evidence planners expect to see
Expect consultees to ask for trial pit logs, depth to groundwater observations, BRE 365 calculation sheets, and photos from the soakaway tests. They will also check that infiltration areas avoid contaminated made ground flagged in the Phase 1 Desktop Study, that exceedance routes are safe, and that maintenance responsibilities are defined. Ticking each of these boxes in one coherent submission prevents weeks of avoidable RFIs.
On a recent suburban infill scheme, initial refusal looked likely after a water company objection. We retested infiltration, sized on measured rates, and updated the SuDS maintenance schedule. The objection was withdrawn at re‑consultation and permission was granted—no redesign of the layout required.
De‑risking your timeline
Early testing and a concise Phase 1 Desktop Study reduce planning risk, speed up consents, and build trust with communities worried about sewage. EnviroSolution provides UK‑wide Infiltration Testing and Phase 1 Desktop Study on fast turnarounds, supplying the evidence officers now expect. The result: credible SuDS, fewer delays, and resilient schemes that stand up to scrutiny.