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Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS)

As urban development expands, the risk of surface water flooding increases. Sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) are designed to control surface water close to where it falls and mimic natural drainage as closely as possible. There are several types of SuDS which work to manage the risk of flooding, whilst providing additional benefits for people and the environment.

Introduction

Sustainable drainage systems, or ‘SuDS’, aim to manage surface water locally and are a natural alternative to traditional drainage networks like pipes and sewers. SuDS provide opportunities to:

  • Reduce the causes and impacts of surface water flooding.
  • Remove pollutants from urban runoff at source.
  • Combine surface water management with benefits for green space, recreation, wildlife and amenity.

United Utilities created a SuDS ‘slow the flow’ garden for RHS Tatton Show, which is shown in the video below. It featured permeable paving, rainwater harvesting tanks, a green roof, bioretention strips and permeable concrete walkways.

 

Watch United Utilities video above for a tour of the Slow the Flow garden.

Click here for information from the Royal Horticultural Society on how SuDS can manage waterlogging and flooding in your garden.

Click here to view our ‘Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) Toolkit’ which contain a variety of resources that are available to download.