PUBLIC SECTOR SUSTAINABILITY
Engineering Nature’s Way, a challenging new project to promote the best-practice application of
Sustainable Drainage Systems (SUDS) has been launched by Hydro International.
NEW WEB INITIATIVE TO SHARE BEST-PRACTICE SUDS KNOWLEDGE
towards being compulsory in England and Wales. It is centred on a new website
www.engineeringnaturesway.co.uk A distinguished panel of guest bloggers representing some of the best known experts and advisors in the SUDS community have been recruited for the launch. The website also incorporates a question and answer area to ask an expert panel for their views and advice on key issues.
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Next year, in the final stages of implementation of the Flood and Water Management Act, Local Authorities in England and Wales are expected to take on a lead role as SUDS Approval Bodies (SABs) with new National Standards for SUDS providing the benchmark against which surface water drainage plans can be approved – or sent back to the drawing board.
Engineering Nature’s Way has been
he knowledge-sharing initiative is designed to bring together experience, opinion and practical solutions as the application of SUDS moves
designed with the aim of supporting Local Authorities in developing the knowledge they need to execute their new roles and invites them to share information which may help others.
NATIONAL STANDARDS
A Government consultation on the National Standards – already delayed by many months – is now expected sometime between summer and autumn. It will be an opportunity for all those local authorities, consultants, developers and contractors to have their say on how the standards are framed. Engineering Nature’s Way promotes a
best-practice approach to managing surface water from source to sea. Centred on a catchment philosophy, natural drainage paths and processes are replicated to control flow, volume and quality using a full ‘toolbox’ of SUDS techniques. A series of lunchtime seminars is also planned as part of the initiative.
Said Alex Stephenson, Stormwater Director for Hydro International: “We decided to take the initiative and co- ordinate a ‘go-to’ place for SUDS and flooding in the UK to discuss best practice approaches centred around the Engineering Nature’s Way philosophy. “We recognised that local authorities, developers and consulting engineers would all benefit from being able to learn from shared experiences and from the comments and opinions of leading experts
24 PUBLIC SECTOR SUSTAINABILITY • VOLUME 1 ISSUE 3
during this critical time in the development of surface water management. “The Government’s consultation on National Standards for the approval of SUDS by the new SUDS Approving Bodies is expected within the next few months. County and unitary authorities are already developing their new roles as Lead Local Flood Authorities as the requirements of the Flood and Water Management Act are gradually implemented. “The website has been designed to be easy to navigate. Case studies, white papers and downloadable guides will be available to present best-practice approaches to practical implementation of SUDS schemes. Visitors to the site will be invited to submit their own best-practice experiences. “The sustainable principles of Engineering in Nature’s Way can be applied to every development,” continues Alex Stephenson. At-source drainage, particularly infiltration and attenuation and a catchment philosophy are favoured, recognising that a range of techniques, ‘natural’, manufactured or combined may be appropriate.”
Engineering Nature’s Way was launched at Hydro’s Conference “Stormwater Management – What about Quality?” Visit
www.engineeringnaturesway.co.uk to sign up for a regular Engineering Nature’s Way e-newsletter, request a lunchtime seminar or download a free guide to Bioretention.
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