Sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDs), is a philosophy
that takes into account the long term environmental factors in excess water drainage
and are becoming an increasingly important part of planning proposals, with the
Government stating:
“The requirement to
meet housing needs must be balanced against other important considerations,
such as protecting the Green Belt or addressing climate change and flooding”
There three main benefits of sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDs)
Although the benefits to SUDs are far reaching, the three
main benefits are as follows:
1.
Flood prevention
To sustainably prevent flooding of urban areas populated by
homes, carparks and other infrastructure. With an increase in localised
flooding in the UK over the last decade, legislation and design guidance is
moving towards increased regulations in relation to surface water drainage.
Sustainable urban drainage systems are a natural approach to resolving drainage
issues associated with property developments and construction sites and working
to prevent future surface water flooding in populated areas following the
completion of building projects.
2.
Benefiting the environment
A natural process of pollutant breakdown allows the excess
water to be re-directed back into the urban watercourses without risk of damage
to the habitat or its occupants.
Filter drains and bio retention basins are just two examples
of how SUDs can be implemented without harsh impacts on the local aesthetics.
They consist of gravel and sand to filter out pollutants before the water
enters the wider environment. Permeable paving and filter strips are other
examples of how little impact SUDs has on the area in which it is utilised.
As well as keeping flood risks down and providing safer
habitats for wildlife, the use of SUDs allows new development of houses and
business where existing sewer systems are close to full capacity.
3.
Foul drainage
The purpose of using SUDs to support existing sewerage
systems is to naturally treat water close to the source and allow drainage
straight into water courses, rather than over burden the sewer systems. This
prevents overflowing of sewers in the event of unusually heavy rain fall.
Gemma Design’s engineers frequently liaise with the Sewerage
Undertakers over the adoption of new drainage systems and proposed connections
to existing systems. We also have strong links with the Environment Agency for
obtaining permits where septic tanks and package foul treatment plants are
required.
How Gemma Design implements SUDs
With the philosophy behind sustainable urban drainage
systems central to Gemma Designs’ own philosophy as civil engineers, we use
Micro Drainage software, the industry specific software that produces cost
effective solutions for all surface water and foul water systems. Micro
Drainage allows us to design hydraulic systems that ensure all our projects
stay compliant with relevant legislation.
Gemma Design is proficient in designing systems that include
an assortment of interventions such as:
·
Soakaways
·
Pipes
·
Connections with existing systems
·
Flow control
·
Adaptation liaison
·
Headwalls
·
Culverts
Gemma Design keeps informed about the changes of regulations
and legislation by staying up to date with the Flood Water Management act 2010,
The Sewers for Adoption (7th Edition), Code for Sustainable Homes
and BREEAM (Building
Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology).
For further information on the uses and benefits of SUDs
please see our website, or get in touch with one of our engineers.
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