Housing Secretary Steve Reed says ‘Build, baby, build’, but with growing concern over flooding and water contamination on new build sites, how do housebuilders balance governmental pressure with safeguarding new and existing residents? Terram’s Adam Brooksbank comments.

This year’s Labour party conference saw housebuilding in the spotlight, with the new Housing Secretary reaffirming the Government’s commitment to 1.5million homes by 2029.

With major planning reform and investment promised for the coming months, the governmental and public pressure on builders and developers to deliver within compressed timelines is likely to intensify.

Whilst bolstering the construction pipeline can only be good news, the success of Labour’s ambitious home building strategy lies not only in speed but in long-term quality and acknowledgement of existing challenges within the industry.

One such challenge is water management. According to a recent survey[1], 56% of newbuild homeowners believe their home is at risk of flooding, and 72% expect their newbuild to be impacted by climate related weather events in the next 10 years.

As well as climate considerations, there is the issue of drainage. An ageing infrastructure – Victorian era in many areas – is ill equipped to handle the demands of our growing population. While the spotlight is often on London, where systems are operating 80% over capacity[2], drainage is a national issue, with more than half of UK councils [3]experiencing sewer system overwhelm in the last decade.

The 2024 implementation of mandatory sustainable drainage systems for new build properties (SuDs) will go a long way to mitigate flooding risks, but from a time efficiency perspective could present developers with its own challenges.

As a relatively new technology, SuDs implementation could represent a timing pitfall for developers, who may find it hard to come by experienced SuDs system designers and easily accessible specialist materials. To manage this, it’s vital to consider SuDs early in the specification process, and to look for solutions which can meet multiple build criteria for maximum efficiency.

Whilst traditional paving methods may feel more familiar to specifiers, and could even present cost savings, the reality is that these solutions are not only less effective, but more time-consuming too. The setting time of concrete, for example, can add days to a build, whilst the inclusion of loose gavel in a SuDs system can result in wider complications from the point of view of accessibility for wheelchair users and disabled residents.

Conversely, the early specification of geosynthetic water management materials can not only save time but provide developers with an environmentally friendly solution which is not only SUDS compliant but environmentally friendly. At Terram, for example, we offer both on-the-ground and underground solutions to support effective water management, all of which are designed to not only meet regulations, but actively enhance urban landscapes, without delaying the timescale of a development.

Whilst water management specification alone cannot resolve the pressure on housebuilders to deliver quality on a deadline, it does represent a broader point. While the Government’s aggressive prioritisation of homebuilding is laudable, it must not come at the cost of the industry’s commitment to quality.

In the words of Eddie Tuttle[4], director of policy, research and public affairs at the CIOB, success depends on ‘increasing the availability of skilled workers, improving supply chains and avoiding a race-to-the-bottom approach to procurement’. For developers, that means seeking innovative and efficient solutions, for the Government, it means providing the industry with the tools it needs to make a success of Labour’s ‘building blitz’.

[1] Over half of new build homeowners believe their home is at risk from flooding – Aviva plc

[2] SuDs – the long wait for implementation is over

[3] Flood cleanup costs reach up to £566m per year, with 57% of councils reporting overwhelmed sewers – Water Magazine

[4] ‘Who’s going to build these homes?’ – industry reacts to Labour’s new towns – Construction Management

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Speaking on the importance 0f below-ground foul water management, Steve Jeffries, Wavin’s Product Manager for Foul Water Systems explains how housebuilders can rise to the challenge with effective systems that require little maintenance and guarantee performance.

The Labour government’s recent pledge to ‘get Britain building again’– with 1.5 million homes over the next five years – is a welcome step to tackle the UK’s housing crisis. However, for developers already grappling with rising costs and labour shortages, these ambitious targets only add to the existing pressures to deliver and get projects right first-time, avoiding costly rework.

Therefore, the importance of getting critical infrastructure elements right, such as below-ground foul water management, has never been more crucial. With record fines being issued to water companies, due to their inability to safely manage foul water and sewage, the topic is firmly at the forefront of minds, and housebuilders understandably don’t want to find themselves facing the same scrutiny. Steve Jeffries, Product Manager for Foul Water Systems at plumbing and drainage manufacturer, Wavin, explains how housebuilders can rise to the challenge with effective systems that require little maintenance and guarantee performance.

A Challenging Environment
Foul water management is crucial for any development, whether commercial or residential, to prevent harm to biodiversity, protect local waterways, and, most importantly, safeguard the health and wellbeing of communities. With so much at stake, it’s essential that this isn’t considered a ‘tick box’ exercise for housebuilders on their projects. However, with demand for housing at an all-time high, installation windows and deadlines are now tighter than ever. With little room for error, getting these systems right first time is essential, as problems with these networks can lead to significant disruptions, costly repairs, and long-term reputational damage.

On top of this, developers are also expected to incorporate sustainable practices across their projects, with efforts to keep maintenance and waste to a minimum now a priority. It is essential that foul water management systems meet performance standards, provide longevity, and also align with wider sustainability goals.

To address such challenges, solutions that provide “fit and forget” performance, which means they are fit for purpose and do not require costly remedial works are now key for the sector to avoid disruption and headaches further down the line on projects, while supporting the achievement of goals and quotas.

Long-term Considerations
Developers need to be aware of longer-term challenges, such as root ingress and blockages. By addressing these at the build stage, developers can ensure foul water systems are built to last – saving money and supporting the long-term viability of sites by reducing and mitigating future disruptions.

A silent killer for drainage systems, root ingress – where tree roots infiltrate underground pipes, leading to blockages, leaks, or even system collapse – can often lie undetected for years. Preventing the problem from happening in the first place is a much more effective approach than addressing it once it has occurred. Solutions like Wavin’s OsmaDrain with RootSeal Technology gently discourages roots from penetrating pipe joints. The drains contain a natural mineral additive which harmlessly repels tree roots from pipe joints to reduce potential damage. The innovation greatly minimises the need for potentially disruptive work further down the line, while also being proven to have no negative impact on roots, surrounding soil or wildlife, enhancing its sustainability credentials.

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For new build properties, it is vital that water pressure and flow rates be carefully considered, to make sure outlets throughout the house can be sufficiently supplied. Here, Darren Cooper, Business Development Director at Stuart Turner explains some of the most common causes of low water pressure and flow and how they can be rectified.

UK Regulations state that homes should be provided with at least 0.7bar of water pressure. However, as the pressure level is measured at the communication pipe serving the premises, the actual, delivered water pressure can vary throughout the home. For example, outlets on the ground floor could be supplied with one bar of water pressure, but those on the first and second floors could have much less. This can result in water trickling on higher levels of the property, which can be incredibly frustrating for the homeowner. Low water pressure and flow rates can also lead to low output when multiple sources are used at the same time – another potential problem for new occupants.

When water pressure and flow rates are insufficient, it is key that developers consider methods of boosting water pressure and flow. This will ensure that levels can be maintained throughout the property and allow the homeowner to use multiple outlets at the same time, without water pressure dropping.

Common causes of low water pressure and flow rates
Low water pressure and flow rates can be the result of a range of factors. One of the most common is the location of the property. Homes at the end of a pipe run can receive less pressure compared to those nearer the water supply. Properties situated on higher ground can also receive lower pressure – for example, homes at the top of a hill might have less than those at the bottom.

Pressure can also differ based on whom is supplying it. This means that, although 0.7bar is the required minimum, some areas can be supplied with more. Pressure levels should therefore be taken into account, to make sure that a new build property is supplied sufficiently – if not, a solution should be put in place.

How to rectify low water pressure and flow
If a property with an unvented system (where a property is supplied directly by the mains, rather than a break tank in the loft) is suffering from low water pressure and flow, it is recommended that a vessel be installed.

Vessels – such as Stuart Turner’s Mainsboost – contain a sealed water chamber, separated from the air space by a diaphragm. The chamber is surrounded by a positive pre-charged air pressure, which is sealed within the vessel. When the diaphragm is full (the water is supplied under the mains pressure), it expands to create a state of equilibrium between the water pressure and pre-charged pressure. When an outlet is opened, the water is forced out of the cylinder, boosting the incoming mains supply. Once the outlets are shut off, the diaphragm will refill and pressure equilibrium will be re-set.

Installing a vessel of this kind creates improved flow to the opened outlets and enables multiple sources to be used at the same time without the pressure dropping. This is a major benefit to the homeowner, as it means that they can make use of the home’s multiple outlets without water trickling. Vessels such as Stuart Turner’s Mainsboost are also a quiet solution – another advantage to occupants that should be considered.

In order for the Mainsboost system to work, it is vital that the incoming mains supply provides enough pressure to fill the vessel. If this is not the case, a charger pump can also be installed – this will ensure that water is fed into the vessel with enough force to pressurize it.

As well as improving flow rates, as the Mainsboost system is fully WRAS approved, the home can be supplied with drinking water throughout. This is not the case with vented systems, as quite often break tanks have removable lids with the potential to allow contamination in.

As maximising space is often a key factor for new build developments – the location of the vessel should therefore be considered. For example, depending on the layout of the pipework, vessels can be installed in the garage or in set cupboard space. Planning for the installation of a Mainsboost system in the pre-construction stages can therefore assist with maximising space within a property.

For new build developments, it is key that pressure and flow rates be considered to ensure that, if pressure and flow rates are insufficient, a solution can be put in place before it becomes an issue for the new residents. Stuart Turner’s Mainsboost is an effective way of supplying water under pressure and ensures that the homeowner can make full use of outlets without water trickling.

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