The Partnership's objectives are:
1. Flood risk reduction.
The Metropolitan Glasgow Strategic Drainage Partnership (MGSDP) is well placed to meet the challenges and expectations of the forthcoming Flood Risk Management Act. The provisions in this Act will create a framework that will ensure that all persons and organisations involved in flood risk management will coordinate their respective efforts to deliver sustainable approaches to managing all forms and consequences of flooding.
2. River water quality improvement.
Scotland has an obligation to set objectives for the water environment by the European Commission. Target objectives have been set to achieve a minimum of 'good' status for water bodies or to have them remain at their current status (if good or above) by 2015. There is also an objective to avoid deterioration in current status for all water bodies.
3. Enabling economic development.
Major investment and effort will be required over the coming years to ensure that Glasgow’s drainage network can cope with changing climate, improve the environment and support modern development requirements. This investment is also critical for Metropolitan Glasgow’s future economic prosperity. Without an effective drainage system progress of urban development would be inhibited in some areas outside Glasgow as it would be simply adding to the problem.
More developments mean less open land is available to absorb rainfall, creating greater and faster surface water run off which can overwhelm the drainage system and contribute to flooding. This can often be several miles away from the development itself.
4. Habitat improvement.
Modernising metropolitan Glasgow’s ageing drainage and sewerage network is not simply about applying ‘hard’ engineering solutions to solve the problem. Protecting and enhancing the natural environment is also a key consideration within every project undertaken. The Partnership’s overarching aim is to provide a holistic approach to managing surface water which will reduce flood risk and unlock development potential, while improving water quality and allowing residential areas to harmonise with the natural landscape and greenspace areas.
5. Integrated investment planning.
The planning system is a key delivery mechanism to deliver the MGSDP plans. The MGSDP will raise awareness of constraints in drainage infrastructure, and the resolution of these, and support planning authorities’ preparation of new local and strategic planning policies. It is recognised that drainage - both wastewater and surface water - are planning considerations. Planning authorities are therefore asked to consider steps they can take to contribute to the MGSDP. This is particularly relevant where regional surface water management plans are being developed and there is significant land take required to accommodate appropriate Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS).