Southern Water has reached an agreement with two Sussex councils to improve surface drainage and reduced storm overflows into the sea.
The water company said today (Monday 26 October): “Two councils in Sussex have entered into a landmark agreement with Southern Water to help create greener roads, improve drainage and importantly work together on reducing storm overflows.
“West Sussex County Council and Brighton and Hove Council have committed to working closely with Southern Water on creating create more sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS).
“SUDS are natural solutions like swales, tree pits and raingardens, created to help tackle flooding and reduce storm overflows by removing excess surface water entering combined sewer systems.
“Southern Water is in the first year of its £1.5 billion Clean Rivers and Seas Plan to help reduce storm overflows.
“Closer collaboration with organisations is key to find solutions to reduce surface water getting into sewers.”
Southern Water’s director for environment and innovation Nick Mills said: “Having close relationships with councils in Sussex is crucial in our mission to create healthier rivers and seas.
“These agreements open up an exciting opportunity to work side by side on practical, nature‑based solutions that cut storm overflows, strengthen our climate resilience and make a real difference for local communities.
“By joining forces, we can move faster, innovate more and deliver the cleaner environment we all want to see.”
The council has already worked with Brighton University to create a rainscape in Moulsecoomb to keep surface water run-off from roads from seeping into the chalk aquifer that provides drinking water across the area.
The water company said that six more councils outside Sussex had entered into similar agreements
- Kent County Council
- Medway Council
- Southampton City Council
- Portsmouth City Council
- Hampshire County Council
- Isle of Wight Council
