Water has become a thing of extremes. Flooding and drought are more frequent than ever and are likely to increase still further as a result of climate change. How we manage our water has become a vital issue.

At WWF, we want to use the natural capacity of the environment to protect us from flooding wherever possible. Using Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) is one way we can do this.

SUDS take the form of constructed wetlands, ponds, grass filter strips and other porous surfaces which blend into the background and even enhance the local environment. They take overflowing water from roads and drains, clean it and release it back into the water system.

Though SUDS provide protection against flooding, produce high-quality water and reduce pressure on the water system, they’re not yet in mainstream use. The WWF SUDS programme is working towards widespread adoption of SUDS across England and Wales.

It’s vital that we expand the use of SUDS. The current drainage system is under pressure.

Ofwat, the water services regulation authority, estimates that about half of flooding incidents happen because the drainage system’s capacity has been exceeded.

Extra housing development adds even more pressure to the system, while climate change increases the chances of heavy rain and flooding.

Water companies will invest £1 billion in our water systems from 2010 to 2015 but this will only reduce the risk of flooding in a few thousand homes. A scheme like SUDS could protect far more people.

We are gathering information on how we can maximise the potential of SUDS, opportunities for putting them into practice and potential barriers. By mid-2010 we hope to be able to make a compelling case to policy-makers.

We’ll be able to demonstrate exactly how effective SUDS are through our exemplar project at Mayesbrook Park in London, funded by RSA. The project is using SUDS to improve water quality in Mayesbrook stream, which contains mostly dirty urban surface water run-off.