SuDS or Duds?

The Failings of Existing SuDS Systems

Sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) are designed to reduce flooding, improve water quality, and enhance the environment. However, there are a number of failings with existing SuDS systems that need to be addressed.

Clogging

One of the most common problems with SuDS systems is clogging. This can be caused by a number of factors, including sediment, leaves, and litter. Clogging can reduce the efficiency of SuDS systems and can even lead to flooding.

Insufficient storage capacity

SuDS systems need to have enough storage capacity to cope with large rainfall events. However, many SuDS systems are not designed to handle large storms. This can lead to flooding, even when SuDS systems are properly maintained.

Poor design

In some cases, SuDS systems are poorly designed. This can lead to problems such as flooding, water pollution, and damage to property. Poorly designed SuDS systems can also be expensive to maintain.

Lack of maintenance

Even well-designed SuDS systems need to be maintained properly in order to function effectively. However, many SuDS systems are not properly maintained. This can lead to clogging, overflows, and other problems.

Lack of public awareness

Many people are not aware of SuDS systems or the benefits they can provide. This lack of awareness can lead to problems such as vandalism and misuse of SuDS systems.

The failings of existing SuDS systems need to be addressed in order to make them more effective at reducing flooding, improving water quality, and enhancing the environment. Some of the things that need to be done include:

• Designing SuDS systems to be more resistant to clogging and to have sufficient storage capacity. New innovative products such as Hydrorock will have a positive impact on resolving some of these long term issues.

• Improving the maintenance of SuDS systems. Especially when we use a natures 1st approach. Installation and even more importantly establishment is often overlooked or not properly planned. The establishment phase is critical to achieve the biodiversity enhancements the schemes promise.

• Raising public awareness of SuDS systems and their benefits. So obvious, but we often fail to provide suitable narrative and clear explanations that provide the motives for doing the work in the first place.

By addressing the failings of existing SuDS systems, we can make them more effective tools for managing stormwater and improving the environment.

On a separate note we should also consider plastics. Many local authorities and influential groups such as the Royal Parks are now refusing to put plastic into the ground. A great step forward, natural stone aquifers offer fantastic alternatives with incredible porosity and performance.

In addition to the failings mentioned above, there are a few other challenges that need to be addressed in order to make SuDS systems more successful. These include:

• The cost of SuDS systems can be high, especially for large-scale projects. However, when combined with a nature 1st approach we get greater benefits. We should always be looking at total life expense (Totex) as opposed to the initial capital expense (Capex). With wider benefits and a logical Totex approach SuDS is a logical choice.

• SuDS systems can take up a lot of space, which can be a problem in urban areas. However, with innovative thinking and good design well placed interventions eliminate this challenge. Green spaces, car parks and verges all provides ample opportunity for well designed SuDS.

• SuDS systems can be difficult to integrate with existing drainage systems. Good design, suitable product selection, accurate data and planning all help to manage the integration of new SuDS.

Despite these challenges, SuDS are a critical solution to stormwater management. With careful planning and design, SuDS can be a cost-effective way to reduce flooding, improve water quality, and enhance the environment.