Thames Water opens £1.5m funding round for nature-based SuDS schemes in London

Thames Water has opened a second round of funding as part of its Surface Water Management Programme, with up to £1.5 million of funding available for nature-based SuDS schemes in London and the Thames Gateway.

Public bodies, including local councils, not-for-profit organisations, including charities and environmental non-governmental organisations, and schools are among those invited to bid for a share of the fund. Successful projects will need to completed and operational by March 2025.

In the first funding round, which totalled £1.8 million, the range of approved projects in the capital included the following:

• Camden – A new pocket park will provide a relaxation space with the plants and trees being watered by rainfall captured within the park
• Lewisham – Surface water will be diverted away from the sewers and instead flow through a specially created channel in a local park and onto a river
• Southwark council – Funding provided will help deliver raingardens, new planters and a community garden, all of which will reduce surface water running off into the sewer network

On the scheme, Eva Linnell, of Thames Water’s Surface Water Management Programme, said:

“We operate in one of the most densely populated and built-up regions in the UK, which places huge pressure on drainage.

“Population growth, urban creep and climate change are increasing the risk of surface water flooding, sewer flooding and pollution. Action is urgently needed to stop rainwater, which doesn’t need to be sent to a sewage works for treatment, getting into the sewers in the first place.”

And on the importance of collaborative approach to SuDS implementation, she continued:

“Sustainable drainage systems which replicate the natural environment are key to achieving this, but we can't do it alone. Working with partners like local authorities is vital. We’re on a learning journey, working with others and listening to their feedback to shape how we can tackle these challenges together into the future.”

Bids for the latest round of funding can be made until April 25th by visiting www.thameswater.co.uk/suds. Thames Water will be holding a Q&A session on the application process on March 2^nd at 3pm.

More on SuDS:

Read: SuDS in 2030: Cleaner, greener towns and cities

Watch: Natural flood management in the East Midlands