SAB Society Wales
Since 2018, susdrain has been celebrating outstanding Sustainable Drainage (SuDS) projects and recognising SuDS Champions who are instrumental in delivering exceptional SuDS in the UK.
SAB Society Wales are proud to be working with susdrain on the 2026 awards with our Chair, Justin Griffiths, sitting on the judging panel for all of the awards and the rest of our Executive Board joining Justin to judge all entries for a new category introduced this year – Welsh Project and Schedule 3 Spotlight Award
Entries are free and made online via CIRIA’s website at SuDS Awards Entries. The closing date for entries is Friday 27th March 2026 at 17:00 BST.
The winners will be revealed at a ceremony in Newcastle on 26th June 2026.
For further details on the awards categories and judging criteria CIRIA have produced a help susdrain SuDS Projects Awards 2026 - Awards Guide (available in other languages and formats on request).
SAB Society Wales Launches to Champion Sustainable Drainage Across Wales
7th January 2026
On the seventh anniversary of Schedule 3 to the Flood and Water Management Act coming into effect in Wales, we are proud to announce the launch of SAB Society Wales—a new organisation dedicated to providing a single, authoritative voice for Sustainable Drainage Approval Bodies (SABs) across Wales.
Why SAB Society Wales?
Until now, SABs have had limited opportunities to engage collectively in strategic initiatives beyond those led by the Welsh Government Water Branch. SAB Society Wales aims to change that by creating a collaborative platform for SAB Officers to influence policy, share best practice, and drive consistency and improved outcomes in sustainable drainage (SuDS) across Wales.
Our Priorities
SAB Society Wales are focussed on efforts to seek positive change and improved outcomes in each of these vital areas:
1. Enhanced resources and greater resilience within SABs to enable timely and effective service delivery.
2. Consistency across all SABs through shared resources and experience to promote better spaces for people and nature.
3. Effective collaborative work to accelerate delivery of appropriate recommendations arising from industry reviews, including the Welsh Government's post implementation review and the Welsh Government Affordable Housing Taskforce.
Governance
The Society will be led by an Executive Board formed initially from regional SAB representatives on the Welsh Government SuDS Community of Practice. A Steering Committee comprising Chief SAB Officers from member authorities will guide priorities and strategy.
Quote from the Chair
"The launch of SAB Society Wales marks a turning point for sustainable drainage in Wales. By bringing SAB Officers together under one banner, we can share knowledge, influence policy, and deliver consistent, high-quality SuDS for communities across the country." — Justin Griffiths, Chair of SAB Society Wales