Local homeowners are financially incentivized to switch their driveways from traditional materials to permeable options, with a payment of £75 per square meter offered.
Southern Water has announced a new 'de-paving' pilot scheme aimed at reducing flooding and easing the pressure on surface water drainage across the South East. The project, a collaboration with the Isle of Wight Council and the Environment Agency, aims to replace approximately 4,000 non-permeable driveways and over 1,100 hectares of hard surfaces within the next five years.
The 'de-paving' pilot scheme is designed to allow rainwater to be absorbed into the ground rather than overwhelming drains and sewers. This is in response to the increasing number of paved gardens and driveways in the UK, a situation that makes flooding more likely and contributes to storm overflows being activated, as stated by Southern Water engineer Harry Buckingham.
Homeowners in the Isle of Wight who are interested in participating can email [email protected] for more information. The scheme offers cash incentives to homeowners who swap their paved driveways for porous ones. The cash incentive offered per square metre is £75.
The goal of the 'de-paving' pilot scheme is to decrease the frequency of storm overflows, such as the Binstead overflow, which has been activated up to 20 times a year. By replacing impermeable driveways and surfaces with permeable paving alternatives, the scheme aims to lessen the need for storm overflows and related flooding.
Southern Water is committed to reducing overflows and helping customers to slow the flow of water entering the system. Measures include water butts, soakaways, and permeable driveways. The success of the pilot scheme in the Isle of Wight will provide data to support a broader implementation across the South East.
However, no plans have been announced to introduce similar schemes in other areas of the UK. The 'de-paving' pilot scheme is part of Southern Water's ongoing efforts to improve water management and combat flooding, a pressing issue in the face of climate change and increasing urbanisation.
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