New rules could see paved driveways banned if the government gives a green light to plans for tackling river pollution in Britain.
The proposals being considered mean more green spaces at new developments and the end of large-scale paving by requiring homeowners to have sustainable drainage.
Developers might also have to prove they had sustainable drainage systems before they were permitted to connect to sewage networks, to avoid pumping rivers with waste.
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Water can't soak into the ground under solid, paved driveways, relying instead on drains, the Mirror reports.
Excess water, particularly after storms and heavy rainfall, has a knock-on effect on sewage systems, sometimes causing overflows and draining issues in the surrounding area.
Overflows from the sewage system into waterways pollute rivers and seas, kill fish, and pose a health risks to humans.
Sewage flowed into Merseyside rivers for more than 17,000 hours from 10 waste water treatment sites last year.
Minister for water Rebecca Pow told the Telegraph that the design of driveways should be able to stop this from happening.
The Conservative MP said: "We need to have semi-permeable membranes on our driveways rather than Tarmac so that rainwater doesn't rush away but soaks in."
Government ministers are still looking at builders' "right to connect" and whether to only offer this to builders with sustainable drainage.
Reports suggest major housing developments might have to invest in new sewage infrastructure to avoid overwhelming the existing system.
One measure being considered by parliament is the creation of ponds that allow water to soak into the ground instead of running into drains and risking an overflow of the sewage system.
The proposed driveway ban was welcomed by United Utilities, the provider of water and wastewater services in North West England.
A spokesperson for the utility company told the ECHO: "We would welcome these proposals. We know that as more gardens and green spaces are developed or paved over it increases the amount of rainwater that runs off into the sewer system, contributing to overloading, flooding and spills into watercourses.
"In 2005, around four percent of front gardens in the North West were paved over. By 2015, that figure had increased to 21 per cent.
"Planning authorities have a key role in encouraging the adoption of drainage solutions such as permeable paving.
"We know we have a role to play as the water company, modernising our sewer networks and increasing capacity where necessary.
"But as our towns and cities continue to grow, we have to think more creatively as a society about how we manage surface water more sustainably and cost effectively.
"Many developers now include Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) as an alternative to directly channelling surface water through sewers or to nearby watercourses.
"These replicate natural drainage by managing rainfall close to where it falls to slow the flow. This helps to manage flood risk and protect river water quality, and can also provide habitat for plants and animals and a more pleasant environment for people."
