Sustainable Drainage Schemes

Sustainable Drainage Schemes (SuDS) slow down surface water and ultimately help to prevent flooding. They are often located in densely populated urban areas.

If they’re designed and managed well, SuDS can be low risk and a positive addition to a community – they’re good for people’s wellbeing and for wildlife. But if they haven’t been well planned or looked after, SuDS can present a significant risk – just like any other water source.

Every year, around 400 people die from drowning as a result of an accident in or around water.

We want to help landowners, designers, contractors, local authorities and, of course, the general public to prevent accidents and avoid drowning in SuDS.

How do Sustainable Urban Drainage systems work?

SuDS are usually – but not always - constructed structures. Most systems will feature permeable surfaces, filter strips, filter and infiltration trenches, swales, detention basins, bioretention systems/raingardens, wetlands and ponds.

SuDS can also include hydraulic controls or silt-trap arrangements. A benefit of these is that they encourage the absorption of pollutants like oils and toxic metals. But they can also introduce hazards that are hard for children and others to identify, especially during periods of high flow or flood.

Safety issues arise when developers introduce bodies of water and hydro engineering into residential areas without taking the time to consider the risks this can cause.