Sustainable Drainage
Our SOLID civils team work in partnership with councils to plan and deliver flood risk management solutions and will, wherever possible, propose nature-based answers to provide the most positive environmental impact. Nature based alternatives prevent the buildings from flooding by controlling surface water run-off so that it settles away from developments. They also help create a dedicated wildlife zone within an urban area. SuDS can be used to reduce pollution too.
Some examples of the drainage solutions and open sustainable structures we implement within our developments include -
Sustainable Drainage Methods
Water harvesting systems – The system for collecting rainwater. By no means a new initiative, but one that is increasingly vital in helping withstand extreme droughts caused by climate change. With the UK declaring drought status regularly in recent years developers are implementing water harvesting systems as a way of reducing the impact of long periods without rain. Water harvesting systems can range from simple examples such as installing water butts to more complex systems such as underground tanks with suction or submersible pumps which direct the water to domestic premises, to be used by toilet cisterns and washing machines.
Blue and green roofs – Roofs dedicated to collecting and/or storing rainwater. Blue roofs provide temporary storage of rainwater above the waterproof layer and then slowly release it, this is known as a stormwater management process (SMP). Green roofs are planted with vegetation which will utilise the rainwater.
Infiltration ponds – An infiltration pond is an engineered depression within the earth that has been vegetated. The pond or basin will remain largely void of water until there are periods of heavy rainfall, when it will fill thanks to surface run off. The combination of the soil specification and vegetation then allow the water to gradually infiltrate into the ground, removing pollutants as it does.
Detention basins – Like Infiltration ponds, detention basins are excavated areas used to collect water to prevent flooding occurring in an adjacent area. Detention basins are usually installed near bodies of water or water courses and are often positioned at the end of a SuDS management system, if extended run off is needed. Basins can have mixed uses, a dry section to collect and infiltrate surface run off, removing pollutants as it infiltrates, and a permanently wet area for wildlife. They also help protect areas that are near water sources that have been heavily eroded and can facilitate pollutant settling.
Swales- Generally located on either side of a road or carpark, swales are broad, vegetated channels used to collect surface water runoff and then direct it to other water storage or infiltration areas, depending on what soil and groundwater conditions allow. Ditches, particularly within rural areas work in a similar way.
Whilst all these water management systems have their own positives and negatives (which we will address in more detail soon), our team determines which will bring the most appropriate floodwater protection for the site in question, ensuring that the development remains safe from flooding now and in the future.
