It is important to understand that SuDS do not only enhance our environments visually but are working features that bring drainage in our developed areas closer to the way in which nature would manage the situation.
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Image: Page 22 of the CIRIA SuDS Manual 2015
The following principles from the CIRIA SuDS Manual are useful to draw upon throughout the design process.
"SuDS design should be based on the following, as much as possible, in order to maximise benefits:
▪ use surface water runoff as a resource
▪ manage rainwater close to where it falls (at source)
▪ manage runoff on the surface (above ground)
▪ allow rainwater to soak into the ground (infiltration)
▪ promote evapotranspiration
▪ slow and store runoff to mimic natural runoff rates and volumes
▪ reduce contamination of runoff through pollution prevention and by controlling the runoff at source
▪ treat runoff to reduce the risk of urban contaminants causing environmental pollution."
▪ manage rainwater close to where it falls (at source)
▪ manage runoff on the surface (above ground)
▪ allow rainwater to soak into the ground (infiltration)
▪ promote evapotranspiration
▪ slow and store runoff to mimic natural runoff rates and volumes
▪ reduce contamination of runoff through pollution prevention and by controlling the runoff at source
▪ treat runoff to reduce the risk of urban contaminants causing environmental pollution."
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By Bill Blackledge CMLI
member of LI Technical Committee