Government publishes new SuDS guidance. What it means and how a CCTV drain survey helps

Sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) are how sites and developers manage rain and runoff water. They slow it, store it and clean it before release. In July 2025, the Government published new guidance and the message is clear going forward. Build sustainable drainage systems that are built to last and that can be checked and maintained for life. A CCTV drain survey is how you can do this.

What SuDS are

A number of features can come together to create SuDS, such as permeable paving, swales, rain gardens and underground tanks and ponds. Drainage pipes and small control chambers then link it all below ground to create a network, but if any of the hidden parts fail, the whole system struggles which could lead to flooding.

Why this matters now

Although the new SuDS guidance is not mandatory, local councils are now running with it and want proof that your drainage can be maintained. As well as this, water companies want proof you are adhering to SuDS guidance during handovers before they agree to take ownership. That means showing what’s going on under the surface is paramount for sign-offs. This is where a CCTV drainage survey with accurate data can stap in.

What a CCTV drain survey does

A small camera runs through drainage pipes and records video. The footage will be looking for factors such as cracks, blockages, poor joints and any wrong connections. It also confirms where pipes run and how they link. After the survey, you get pictures, clips and a clear defect list so you can fix issues fast. These surveys are great during build phases to catch problems before you build over them, which could cause costly delays. Not only this, but the evidence can be provided for any forms of compliance during handover phases. Finally, CCTV surveys are great for maintenance, they can check conditions every year or after major storms to ensure they’re running in perfect order.

Common problems a CCTV drain survey finds:

• Misconnections between surface water and foul sewers.
• Blocked or wrongly set flow controls.
• Silted inlets and outlets that choke the system.
• Crushed or ponded underdrains that stop paving and swales draining.
• Roots near ponds and swales that cause repeat blockages.

SuDS that look fine on paper still need proof on site. A simple CCTV survey gives you that proof. It keeps planning on track, speeds up handover and makes long-term maintenance easier.