ARTICLE
Supporting Dundee’s nature-based flood partnership
Sustainable drainage specialist Sudsplanter Ltd has supported a rainwater management project led by Scottish Water and Dundee City Council, through the Water Resilient Dundee partnership.
T
he partnership aims to manage Dundee’s rainwater more naturally, reduce local flood and pollution risk, build climate resilience and create greener spaces, while engaging with communities.
St Mary’s Community Centre, in the north of Dundee, was identified as a suitable location for a series of small-scale sustainable drainage systems (SuDS), including two SuDSPlanter rain gardens, to ease pressure on the combined sewer network. A key aim was to make SuDS more accessible and build community understanding and trust, ahead of a larger planned project.
Combined sewers
Parts of Dundee have experienced significant flooding in recent years, including in August 2025, when drainage networks were overwhelmed during a sudden and intense storm. Approximately 88% of Dundee’s sewers carry both rainwater and sewage – the highest concentration of combined sewers in Scotland. In addition, 13 culverted watercourses historically connect into the network, increasing flood risk during storms.
Although St Mary’s Community Centre sits upstream of flood-prone areas, rainwater runoff from the site ultimately enters the combined sewer network and contributes to downstream flooding.
Among new sustainable drainage features were two SuDSPlanter units which were connected to a new roof downpipe at the northern end of the community centre. SuDSPlanters are design- engineered rain gardens that intercept roof runoff via rerouted downpipes, and direct flows into a system of planters – and away from drains and sewers – during heavy rain. Water is temporarily stored and filtered through the SuDSPlanter system before overflowing, when required, into a
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new drainage channel that conveys excess water to an adjacent rain garden.
Within each planter, water - as well as being taken up by plants - is filtered by a deep, layered soil mix, temporarily stored then released in a controlled way. Planters also provide drought resilience by retaining moisture and gradually releasing it into the soil during dry periods. The community centre chose interactive cloud- trays as a feature that directs rainwater into the planters.
Specially selected plant species, suitable for the local conditions and aspect, have improved biodiversity and created new wildlife habitats. Information boards explain how the system works.
Together, the new SuDS measures create a tangible example of sustainable water management in action and have transformed a simple grassed area into an attractive green space. It is hoped visitors to the community centre will see the benefits of the SuDS and consider installing similar systems on their own properties.
Dominic McBennett, catchment planner, Scottish Water, said: “The Water Resilient Dundee strategy is part of our transition towards more holistic, sustainable and adaptable water management.
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