Useful sources of SuDS Information, Guidance and SuDS
best practice case studies:
Engineering Nature’s Way:
www.engineeringnaturesway.co.uk – Hydro International’s
knowledge-sharing resource for SuDS. www.susdrain.org: a
community with a range of resources for those involved in
delivery of SuDS, created by CIRIA.
For more information about the new Hydro BioCell™
Bioretention System and other Stormwater management
products please call 01275 337955, email
[email protected] or visit www.hydro-int.com.
What Makes SuDS Best Practice?
By Alex Stephenson, Group Market Development Director, Hydro International
and chair of the British Water Sustainable Water Management Group.
Regulating the use of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) in new
development has long been a hard fought-for aspiration. From April
2015, new regulations are finally in force in England. Will they help to
guide good design, construction and maintenance of SuDS?
Planning authorities are now responsible for overseeing an ‘expectation’
for SuDS to be built on new developments of 10 properties or more,
as part the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). The change
should usher in a more sensible, “back to basics” approach for SuDS with
principles that have been well established for many years.
The Government’s revised plans leave all professionals concerned to
understand the implications and what will constitute good practice in
SuDS installation, adoption and maintenance.
What Design Guidance Is Available for SuDS?
The need for everyone involved to share and learn from best practice is
fundamental to future acceptance and successful delivery of SuDS. Many
local authorities, and some water companies, have developed their own
design guidance which provide excellent sources of reference. CIRIA’s
expected update to C697, the SuDS manual will be more important than
ever in providing a national framework for best practice.
Industry resources such as the Engineering Nature’s Way and Susdrain
websites provide a good source of reference, industry news and comment,
as well as policy updates and links to resources such as design guidance
and online design tools.
Top Five Tips for SuDS Best Practice
1.
Start early: SuDS plans should be incorporated right from the start of
a project, preferably during masterplanning and guided by the Local
Plan. Close working relationships are needed from the start between
landscape architects, drainage designers, developers, Lead Local
2.
3.
4.
5.
Flood Authorities (LLFAs), water companies and the Environment
Agency.
Engage the community: Getting local people passionate and
involved in sustainable surface water management has been shown
to be highly effective in achieving successful schemes.
Use the full SuDS toolbox: Create a surface water management train
using the most appropriate ‘natural’ and manufactured components
taking into account the space available for storage, the ground
conditions, the level of pollutants present, the level of infiltration that
is possible and so on.
Plan predictable and repeatable maintenance. The new
planning rules for England place a much greater responsibility
on developers to show how SuDS schemes will be maintained
effectively throughout their life. Ensuring that SuDS continue to
perform requires skilled ground maintenance, as well as following
manufacturers’ schedules
for inspection and
maintenance of proprietary
systems.
Insist on Quality
Contractors: Construction
of a SuDS infrastructure
can require a different
skillset for contractors from
conventional drainage
approaches. Especially
for natural SuDS features,
incorrect construction can
mean the drainage does
not perform as designed
from the outset.
Landscape & Urban Design Issue 14
71