SuDS features

  • What are sustainable drainage systems (SuDS)? Features, types and design principles

    In many urban areas, rainfall doesn’t soak into the ground. It runs off hard surfaces, overwhelms drainage systems, and contributes to flooding and pollution. SuDS (Sustainable Drainage Systems) are designed to change that. SuDS are designed to manage rainfall in a way that mimics natural processes – slowing, storing, and treating water close to where it…

    Drainage design
  • Cutaway illustration of a constructed wetland showing the inlet pipe, gravel distribution zone, wetland plants, rhizome network, small gravel bed, liner, wet well, and outlet

    Artificial and constructed wetlands: sustainable drainage superstars

    Artificial wetlands are a common feature of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) and are widely used in urban drainage design to manage stormwater and rainwater runoff, as well as promote sustainable drainage practices. An artificial wetland is a constructed ecosystem designed to manage water and pollution through engineered processes that are designed to mimic natural processes…

    Sustainability
  • Cutaway illustration of a rain garden showing the inlet from a parking area, temporary ponding area, mulch layer, native plants, bioretention soil, gravel bed, overflow inlet, and outflow pipe

    How professionals design rain gardens to effectively control stormwater runoff

    Rain gardens are a common feature of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) and are widely used in urban drainage design to manage stormwater and rainwater runoff, as well as promote sustainable drainage practices. In the urban environment, hard or impervious surfaces often block the natural process of infiltration, which means rainwater can’t soak into the ground.…

    Drainage design
  • Cutaway illustration of a wet pond (retention pond) holding a permanent pool of water, showing base level, initial depth, and exceedance level

    The role of wet ponds and infiltration basins in sustainable drainage design

    Wet ponds and infiltration basins are a common feature of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) and are widely used in urban drainage design to manage stormwater and rainwater runoff, as well as promote sustainable drainage practices. Ponds and infiltration basins are two of the most effective strategies in sustainable drainage design, offering multiple benefits beyond simple…

    Storm, sewer, flood
  • Cutaway illustration of a soakaway under a car park, with geocellular crates in a filtration layer storing runoff that soaks into the surrounding soil

    What are soakaways and how should they be designed?

    Soakaways are a common feature of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) and are widely used in urban drainage design to manage stormwater and rainwater runoff, as well as promote sustainable drainage practices. Evolving weather patterns and increasing rainfall lead to water and drainage challenges for homes, businesses, and infrastructure. Developers must incorporate drainage systems in their…

    Drainage design
  • Cutaway illustration of a bioretention area beside a car park, showing the ponding area, side slopes, filter layer depth, filtration rate, perforated underdrain, and exceedance level

    What is a bioretention system and how does it help control stormwater runoff?

    Bioretention systems are a common feature of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) and are widely used in urban drainage design to manage stormwater and rainwater runoff, as well as promote sustainable drainage practices. Bioretention is a stormwater management practice that harnesses natural processes to treat and manage stormwater runoff from impervious surfaces such as rooftops, driveways,…

    Sustainability
  • Cutaway illustration of underground cellular storage crates beneath a car park, showing initial depth, base level, and exceedance level

    How does cellular storage work for stormwater control?

    Cellular storage is a common feature of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) and are widely used in urban drainage design to manage stormwater and rainwater runoff, as well as promote sustainable drainage practices. Certain stormwater controls are designed in ways that effectively divert water away from a site – but not cellular storage systems. Sometimes also…

    Drainage design
  • Cutaway illustration of porous pavement in a car park, showing the paving layer, membrane, permeable sub-base and its void ratio, perforated pipe, and water percolating into the ground

    The benefits of porous pavement in drainage design

    Porous pavement is a common feature of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) and are widely used in urban drainage design to manage stormwater and rainwater runoff, as well as promote sustainable drainage practices. Sometimes called permeable pavement, porous pavement is an innovative and environmentally friendly approach to managing stormwater runoff in urban areas. As cities have…

    Drainage design
  • Illustration of a vegetated swale showing its length, slope, side slopes, base width, base level, and exceedance level

    What is a swale? Definition, purpose, and how it works.

    Swales are a common sustainable drainage feature that provides a simple and effective way to manage stormwater runoff. They are commonly used along roads, parking lots, developments, and other areas where rain falling on hard surfaces needs somewhere to go. A swale is a shallow channel or depression designed to collect, slow, and convey stormwater…

    Drainage design
  • Cutaway illustration of an infiltration trench with a perforated pipe, showing length, width, slope, void ratio, depth above base, and exceedance level

    What is an infiltration trench and how does it work?

    Infiltration trenches are a common feature of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) and are widely used in urban drainage design to manage stormwater and rainwater runoff, as well as promote sustainable drainage practices. As the world’s drainage challenges grow, designers are constantly looking for new ways to handle stormwater. Commonly known as stormwater controls (SWCs), a…

    Storm, sewer, flood