CCW responds to NIC report on reducing surface water flooding

CCW has backed calls for a fresh wave of investment to protect homes and businesses from inadequate drainage – but warned it must be coupled with stronger support for customers that cannot afford their water bills.

A new report by the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) has called for stricter controls on new property developments, alongside up to £12 billion of investment in drainage infrastructure over the next 30 years. It warns that this will be necessary to stop thousands more homes and businesses from flooding due to poor drainage.

Responding to the report, Mike Keil, Senior Director of Policy, Research and Campaigns at CCW, said:

Surface water overwhelming our drainage systems causes enormous damage and disruption to people’s lives and that pressure will increase as climate change brings more periods of intense rainfall. We welcome the approaches recommended in this report but it’s vital the estimated £12 billion needed to tackle this problem – on top of the £56 billion earmarked to reduce the use of storm overflows – does not fall disproportionately on water bill payers. We urgently need a new water affordability scheme to protect those that cannot afford their bills.

CCW has been spearheading calls for a new water affordability scheme for England and Wales that would end the existing postcode lottery of support for households that cannot afford their water bill.  You can read more on our affordability review pages