SuDS - Sustainable Drainage Systems

Sustainable water management is becoming more and more important and is now a major driver in the UK construction industry. Companies are now looking to manage their surface water via sustainable drainage systems in line with legislation such as the Floods and Water Management Act 2010.

We can no longer deny the effects of climate change, which has a direct correlation globally to:

  • Rising sea levels
  • Weather fluctuations
  • Violent random storm event patterns

These combine to form an immediate threat, due to our rising population and ongoing housing shortages, the built environment is showing no signs of slowing down. The emphasis on protecting our landscape via sustainable means has never been more important.

Effective drainage systems can assist with this sustainability and help improve our environment. Schemes being introduced are now focused on sustainability with the aim of slowing down or moving the flow of water to aid percolation into the land at a catchment level - without causing a flood risk.

Approaches to managing surface water should take into account:

  • Water quantity – to reduce flood risks and damage
  • Water quality – remove pollutants from stormwater
  • Biodiversity - Enhance vegetation and help wildlife and plants glow
  • Amenity – create and sustain better places for people

 

Prevent Flooding – Reduce Water Quantity

To prevent flood risks we can no longer look to divert large amounts of water quickly, or back to the source instead runoff volumes and flow rates should be reduced. With more urbanisation, there’s more stress being put on existing drainage networks and watercourses. By utilising components such as infiltration, attenuation and rainwater recycling SuDS can manage runoff volumes and protect natural flow regimes in watercourses.

What’s more, SuDS moves away from thoughts that stormwater is regarded as a nuisance moving to see it as a valuable resource that can be beneficial when reused.

Remove Pollutants - Enhance Water Quality

Effective SuDS systems protect or enhance the quality of Stormwater by reducing pollution from the runoff. The removal of many pollutants such as oil, sediments, fertilisers, pesticides, animal waste and litter can create a better local environment for us all.

Without SuDS pollutants or contaminants can be washed into sewer networks and eventually into watercourses, this presents difficulties with complying with water quality legislation. SuDS can be designed to either create settlement of pollutants or biologically break pollutants down.

Biodiversity – Enhance Wildlife & Vegetation

Through SuDS an increase in green surface areas can contribute to an increase in variety of wildlife and plant species. Applications such green roofs, ponds, swales, wetlands and treepits to name but a few.

It is thought that the increase in biodiversity of the environment that your in has a direct link to the health and well being of the community.

Amenity – Improving the Environment for the Community

SuDS can allow for more open spaces and greener infrastructures to be introduced into communities. Areas such as ponds and wetlands can provide an array of amenity and recreational benefits as both landscaped (green) and water (blue) areas in developments can be used for socialising and exercising. These areas can improve the mental and physical health of the people that visit them.

SuDS related Drainage Products

We provide a range of products that can be used in SuDS applications through infiltration, attenuation, rainwater recycling and grass swales to name but a few. To find out more about this range, browse the products below.

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