FEATURE Implementing SuDS: An Environmentally Sound Solution


New adoption codes for the water sector are set to boost the use of sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) across the country, but how exactly do they benefit the environment? Martin Lambley, product manager for stormwater management at Wavin, explains.


managing surface water, their implementation also has wider environmental benefits. With the recent introduction of new Ofwat adoption codes making SuDS adoptable by English Water and Sewage Companies for the first time, there’s never been a more important time to get clued up on how the systems work.


S ‘ SuDS: an overview


SuDS are surface water drainage systems that help to reduce the risk of surface flooding by mimicking mother nature. They provide an alternative solution to traditional methods involving the channelling of large volumes of surface water into rivers and waterways using pipes which, in extreme cases, can cause banks to burst. Historically, they’ve been classified into two distinct groups – soft SuDS and hard SuDS but current thinking is about combining both to deliver an effective surface water drainage system. Soft SuDS manage water within an area by using components from purpose-built green landscaping, such as ponds, swales, and soakaways, but they can require a lot of space to be truly effective. They are known for being natural, easy to maintain systems that operate on the surface and can blend in easily into the existing environment.


A true


holistic sustainable drainage system uses a combination of both soft and hard SuDS components, combining natural filtration systems


’


Hard SuDS, on the other hand, tend to sit below ground and include systems like geocellular attenuation tanks and permeable paving. They are a highly effective way to manage cases of extreme rain fall, as they hold back large amounts of water before releasing back to environment either through infiltration or, if attenuated, at a more controlled and sustainable rate. A true holistic sustainable drainage system uses a combination of both soft and hard SuDS components, combining natural filtration systems like swales and basins with underground attenuation tanks, which help to release the surface water back into the ground at a steady rate. This is particularly effective for smaller spaces, as there can often be limited room available for soft SuDS to provide appropriate flood resilience. More practical hard SuDS can therefore work in combination with the more natural solutions to provide the best of both worlds.


With this increase in storage capacity, combined SuDS solutions can be incredibly effective, which is more imperative than ever with the threat of climate change and increased urbanisation. These systems can also lead to a wealth of benefits for the environment, including increased biodiversity, improved air and water quality, as well as health benefits to those living or working in the area.


Benefitting biodiversity and ecology


Biodiversity and ecology play an important role in our society and the environment we live in, so it’s vital that we focus on ways to preserve and boost our local wildlife. When working collectively, SuDS systems can help to create an environment that attracts and encourages specific wildlife to flourish in a certain area. This includes birds, insects and even pondlife, and is particularly effective when developers and designers specify certain plant life, meaning there’s the possibility to tailor-make a local eco-system.


Through a combination of soft and hard components such as ponds and storage attenuation tanks, SuDS can help to foster the right environments for a variety of species to thrive, whilst offering a robust solution to


Read the latest at: www.bsee.co.uk


stormwater management. Boosting wildlife can help developers respond to increasing calls for environmentally-friendly building components, as well as an overall increase in the attractiveness of a particular area.


Improving air quality


Another environmental benefit SuDS can have on local areas is a boost in air quality. For example, some natural SuDS components such as green roofs, trees and swales can remove certain pollutants including nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide, through absorption or particulate filtering, particularly in larger developments or systems that are implemented in stages.


Air quality is hugely important to our surrounding environment, particularly in busy towns and cities. Cleaner, fresher air helps to positively impact other aspects of a community, from better health and wellbeing, to improved plant development.


Reducing water pollution


It’s not just air quality that SuDS can aid; water quality is also drastically improved. This is mainly due to the decreased water pollution from surface water not being managed by traditional piped systems, where it is instantly mixed with waste and sewage. As we face the threat of climate change and experience more intense rainfall, traditional combined sewerage systems are becoming overloaded and unable to cope with high volumes of water. Pollutants and contaminants such as animal waste, litter and fertilisers can also often end up in surface water runoff. A robust SuDS solution is able to lower flow rates and increase natural filtration, which controls and separates surface water runoff and sewage. By separating rainwater there is also a reduction in costs when it comes to water treatment, as this clean water isn’t piped directly into the existing sewage network and processed unnecessarily. Using a SuDS solution also helps to reduce the transportation of pollution to the local water environment, helping to improve natural water bodies such as lakes, rivers, and streams. In turn, improved water quality can benefit the local environment immensely, as well as save costs for local authorities and water companies in the long run.


About Wavin UK


Wavin is an innovative solution provider for the building and infrastructure industry across multiple continents. Backed up by 60+ years of expertise, we are geared up to tackle some of the world’s biggest challenges around: water supply, sanitation, climate-resilient cities and building performance. At Wavin, we focus on creating positive change in the world and our passion is building livable and loveable places. We engage and collaborate with city leaders, engineers, planners and installers to help make cities future-proof and buildings comfortable and energy-efficient. Wavin is part of Orbia, a community of companies bound together by a shared purpose: to advance life around the world. Wavin has 12’000+ employees in 40+ countries worldwide and operates under brands like Wavin, Amanco and Pavco.


Health and wellbeing


There is now heaps of evidence that green spaces and large open areas in developments provide a wealth of benefits to the health and wellbeing of residents, both mentally and physically. Increased attractive green areas with ponds, plants and natural wildlife can provide opportunities for exercise, socialisation, or simply just a place to relax. Improved air quality and decreased water pollution is also greatly beneficial to these spaces, and makes them a much more hygienic and healthier place to spend time. Implementing SuDS schemes in new and existing developments across towns and cities can be hugely positive for the surrounding natural environment, which in turn can have a real impact on the health and wellbeing of individuals within a community, as well as the desirability of a particular residential or commercial development.


What’s next?


As climate change and urbanisation continues to rise, SuDS are increasingly becoming more recognised as a practical and pragmatic solution to surface water management. Over the past decade, our winters have become 12 per cent wetter, with that figure growing to 13 per cent in the summer. Clearly, climate change is a threat to our surrounding environment, and something has to be done.


The new Ofwat codes, which came into force in April 2020, are a step in the right direction and should result in the introduction of more SuDS systems, particularly in urban areas. This guidance is really promising, not just for stormwater management, but also for the natural environment. It’s a really positive start in ensuring our developments and urban areas are both truly sustainable and well prepared for increased rainfall, and when it comes to changing the way our built environment operates, it’s vital we start from the ground up.


Wavin is proud to offer a full range of sustainable drainage systems. For more information, visit the website or to get involved in the discussion, join the Facebook group www.facebook.com/groups/SuDSdiscussion/


www.wavin.co.uk


ustainable drainage systems (SuDS) are becoming increasingly recognised for their practical stormwater management credentials; however, while they are indeed highly effective in


BSEE


BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER JULY 2020 21


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40