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Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems
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Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) offer an alternative approach to drainage in developed areas. Traditional drainage practice is designed to move rainwater as rapidly as possible from the point at which it has fallen to a discharge point, either a watercourse or soakaway.
What are SUDS?
Due to the amount of paving and hard surfaces in our cities, most water that falls will be diverted to a drain. In general, our sewers are not large enough to cope with the amount of water that runs off our roofs. Therefore we need a different approach to drainage that will relieve pressure on the sewer / drainage system and will help reduce flash flooding.
The main means of providing SUDS is:
- To control rainwater at source
- Build infiltration trenches and filter drains
- Build swales and basins
- Build ponds and wetlands
Control rainwater at source
You can do this by installing a water butt to collect rainwater from your roof. This water can be used to water your garden and will in turn save you money on your water bill (if you are on a meter).
One of the causes of heavier water runoff is urban gardens being removed and replaced with paving slabs, concrete or tarmac. These surfaces do not let water through, therefore the water runs to the nearest drain. While non-paved space is the best way of controlling water runoff, if you must pave your drive way etc, then try to use permeable pavement (one that water can soak through).
Green roofs also help retain water, releasing it slowly which relieves the strain on the drainage system.
Infiltration trenches and filter drains
An infiltration trench is a shallow, excavated trench that has been filled with stone to create an underground reservoir. Stormwater entering the trench is gradually infiltrated into the ground.
Swales and basins
Swales are grassed depressions which lead surface water overland from the drained surface to a storage or discharge system, typically using the green space of a roadside margin. They may be used to replace conventional roadside kerbs, saving construction and maintenance costs. Compared to a normal ditch, a swale is shallow and relatively wide, providing temporary storage, treatment and the possibility of infiltration under suitable conditions for rainwater.
A basin is designed to hold back storm runoff for a few hours and to allow the settlement of solids. They are normally dry outside of storm periods. They provide temporary storage for storm water, reduce peak flows to receiving waters, as well as allowing water to filter directly into the ground.
Ponds
Ponds can help storm water runoff by collecting excess water especially if it drains from your roof. A pond can also hold water in dry periods which will help wildlife in your garden.
What can you do?
- Install a water butt. You water company should have special offers on these. Use this water to water you garden instead of tap water. See Yorkshire Water or Severn Trent
- Install a pond. This will help retain some of the water that falls on your house
- Install a green roof on your shed, garage or extension. Not only will this retain water, it will llook very nice too.
- If you are planning on installing pavement, install a permeable one (one that water can drain through)
- Build a swale to collect the water that falls on a paved surface
Follow this link for more information on water conservation.
Contact us
If you would like any further information please see the Contact us section for our telephone numbers and email address.
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