Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS)

Nature-based solutions to protect our communities from flooding.

 

Understanding SuDS

Our towns and cities are at risk of flooding. In built-up areas, surface water collects quickly and can overflow drains. To put it plainly, the places we live just aren’t as ‘spongy’ as we’d like. So we’re turning to nature to help.

SuDS are Sustainable Drainage Systems. They work by diverting surface water away from sewers, slowing it down and helping our drains to cope. The great thing about SuDS is that they combine some of the latest water drainage technology with Mother Nature.

So at the same time as reducing flood risk, they cut pollution and bring more plant and animal species into the places where we live. 

Sustainable drainage solutions

There are four core Sustainable Drainage System solutions that we recommend, and we will work with you to install them effectively at your development.

Rain gardens use plants and soil to retain and slow the flow of rainwater from surrounding hard surfaces.

They also help cool urban areas in the summer, so even when it’s not raining, they make a positive difference. 

 

Raingarden Standards

Bioswales store water and release it slowly into the ground or drainage network in the same way.

They’re generally smaller than bioswales and can be found in smaller green spaces. They’re filled with plants that help to filter and hold the water. They have shallow channels with a sloping slide.

Bioswales are normally dry, but during heavy storm events can fill up with water, holding this back before slowly releasing it back into the drainage network.

 

Bioswales Standards

There are two types of detention basins. The first has been designed to separate surface water from entering the combined sewerage network during heavy rainfall, stop the network from becoming overwhelmed and help to reduce flooding.

The second type of detention basin has been designed to capture water during heavy rainfall and help reduce flooding downstream by providing additional storage capacity before entering the sewerage network.  

The basins are dry for most of the time, but if you see it filling with water, don’t worry, it’s doing its job.

 

Detention Basin Standards

Permeable paving – used for carparks, walkways, and other hard surfaces, contains lots of tiny holes. 

These holes allow water to pass through and slowly soak into the ground beneath.

So we can make our streets more flood-resilient while keeping the parking that residents need so much. 

 

Permeable paving Standards

This includes, but is not limited to, the operation, location, interaction with the existing environment, hydraulic design, material specifications and construction of these features.

Our manual draws upon some of the key aspects of the CIRIA manual while incorporating further guidance and learning from schemes we have delivered to support in the design of these features.
 

General SuDS Standards

Get in touch with us

We will work with you to develop the right Sustainable drainage solutions for you and your development.

If you'd like our support or advice with your Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS), then get in touch with our team, and we'll be happy to help.