A new government water strategy, announcing plans for surface water drainage, has been criticised for lacking teeth.

The Future Water strategy, announced last week by environment secretary, Hilary Benn, says the Government will introduce surface water-management plans to co-ordinate activity, clarify responsibilities for sustainable drainage systems, and review the ability of new developments to connect surface water automatically into the public sewer.

But leading surface water experts have said the plans don’t go far enough to say who will take responsibility for surface water. ‘The vision is good, but where are the details?’ said Bob Sargent, head of hydrology at Hyder Consulting.

‘There is a window of opportunity to do something and if we miss the window then improvements are not going to happen.’ Sargent said more than consultation was needed if promises were to be delivered.

‘They are the right ideas, but how they will be delivered on the ground is the most important thing and, sometimes, there is a gap between what is said in these strategies and what happens on the ground.’

‘I think it’s important for local authorities to have central leadership in place when dealing with surface water problems. They are best placed to deal with the problems, but in the past they haven’t talked with each other.

‘They need to come together to work out the best solutions.’

Tony Poole, principal drainage engineer from Bradford City Council, which has run pilots on better co-ordination regarding surface water drainage, said: ‘I can’t argue with the broad thrust of the strategy, but the devil will be in the detail.

‘It doesn’t highlight the role local authorities can play, or explain where the resources are going to come from. Without resources, it’s hard to see how any of the ideas are going to be implemented.’ Poole also showed concern over the plans for more consultation – DEFRA has invited stakeholders to register for a drainage consultation event planned for 10 April, for which no more details are available.

‘There is a lot of consultation happening with this strategy, but we are being consulted to death. We need some definite action,’ he added. The Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) welcomed the document, but also warned that action needed to follow the sentiment.

‘The CIWEM now urges the Government to ensure that these difficult issues are seen through as promised.

‘Issues such as the adoption of SUDS have been discussed for far too long and it is time the situation was resolved once and for all,’ said a spokesman.