SUDS - how we can help you
Sustainable drainage is all about moderating water flows off developments and filtering run-off before discharge to ground or watercourses.
The objective is to avoid the harm arising to watercourses caused by rapid discharge leading to risk of flooding and removing toxic contaminants that leads to poor stream water quality and reduced biodiversity.
Prior to designing sustainable drainage schemes, we will:
- analyse your design to assess surface water run-off characteristics;
- advise on ways of reducing run-off by design;
- determine the water regime of the site by assessing hydrological, geological, topographic and soil conditions and also ground permeability and groundwater levels.
We will then design a cost effective scheme that bests suits the style and character of the development and that will comply with Environment Agency and Planning Authority requirements.
SUDS - the background, the need
Sustainable drainage schemes, sometimes called sustainable urban drainage schemes, are increasingly required by local authorities and the Environment Agency to ensure that the quantity and quality of run-off from developments is controlled and to enhance the wildlife, landscape and amenity value of the site and its surroundings. SUDS contribute to sustainable development, a requirement of local and regional development plans.
Increasingly, planning authorities require applications for development to demonstrate a sustainable approach to drainage along with detailed plans as to how sustainable drainage will be achieved.
Sustainable drainage deals with drainage at its source rather than ‘end of pipe’ and uses a train of systems according to the development embracing a wide variety of water management solutions. These systems can include:
- green roofs to retain water prior to discharge;
- rainwater re-use to reduce the use of mains water for non-potable uses;
- use of permeable pavements, crushed stone and permeable gravel surfaces and gravel filled infiltration drains to allow direct infiltration to ground;
- collection and storage of water in oversize pipes or reservoirs prior to soakage to ground;
- use of filter strips, swales and basins to direct and temporarily retain water and at the same time provide for filtration of particulate materials and biodegradation of contaminants;
- use of ponds to hold water coupled with nature conservation objectives;
- controlled outflow systems to watercourses.
Copyright:Ron Allen |