The SWIM approach aims to help the appraisal of multiple small SuDS features that deliver cumulative benefit and helps to make the case for SuDS delivery and secure FCERM grant in aid (GiA) funding for surface water flood risk management.

Small scale resilience projects aiming to reduce surface water flood risk often struggle to demonstrate viability for gaining FCERM GiA funding - this is because it can be difficult to quantify the benefits of small interventions like sustainable drainage systems (SuDS).

To be considered for funding, new project opportunities must initially follow the Flood and coastal erosion risk management funding policy guidance. The SWIM approach and its associated SuDS Programme Business Case (SPBC) should only be used when a project has been prioritised by the Environment Agency for development.

The SWIM approach accounts for the total benefits achieved by a package of small-scale SuDS measures by appraising the package of SuDS measures as a single intervention.

The Guidance says this approach:

Some blue-green SuDS measures may also be eligible for funding through a standalone natural flood management (NFM) project. These projects follow a separate approval route, with their own single-stage business case template, benefits estimation methodology, and assessment tools.

The SuDS programme business case contains several main components as follows:

The guidance says the SPBC template should be used to help make the case for the effective and efficient delivery of a package of SuDS measures and that the programme should be large enough to realise a meaningful reduction in surface water flood risk. As a guideline, it suggests users should consider a programme of around 2-5 years.

The Agency suggests that the SWIM approach should be used if you:

Contact email address for further information and support is:

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Click here to access the SWIM guidance in full online

Click here to download the SWIM Business Case template documernt

Click here to access the Guidance on Standalone NFM project interventions eligible for FCERM funding in full online