SuDS (Sustainable Urban Drainage System)

Development often alters natural drainage by replacing free draining ground with impermeable surfaces, gullies, pipes, sewers and channels. It can also remove vegetation and compact the ground. These changes increase the total volume and flow of run-off and may make areas more susceptible to flooding locally. Run-off can also exacerbate river flooding through sudden rises in water levels and flow rates in water courses. This can also result in preventing water soaking into the ground, depleting ground water and reducing flows in natural water courses in dry weather. There is also the risk of pollution to natural watercourses from contaminants such as oil, organic matter and toxic metals, affecting water quality, biodiversity and wildlife.

SuDS mimic natural drainage processes to reduce the effect on the quality and quantity of run-off from developments. It provides amenity and biodiversity benefits, helping to negate the issues described above. Part of the SuDS regulations introduced in 2008 applies to driveways, paving and hard standings to help improve the environment and reduce the impact of surface water.

Our resin bound surfacing allows for the hard standing on paving and driveway installations to mimic natural surface water filtration systems by allowing surface water to slowly return to the subterraneous water courses and re-enter the rainwater cycle. The honeycomb nature of our products, when combined with a porous substrate such as porous macadam or our Eco grid system, allows water to drain naturally and be partially purified by filtering out some of the contaminants along the way simulating the amazing natural process.

For more information on SuDS please see The Environment Agency website: www.environment-agency.gov.uk