Sustainable Drainage Systems

5. Sustainable Drainage Systems

Site developments and hard landscaping can result in areas where there is localized flood risk in the event heavy rain, contamination as a result of spillage or water course depletion in the event of dry weather.
Sustainable drainage solutions aims to mimic as closely as possible the natural drainage of a site and minimise the impact of urban development on the flooding and pollution of waterways.
Generally these techniques use vegetation features to treat pollution and slow down or reduce flows as well as enhance the landscape and provide improved wildlife habitats.

Guidance and examples of effective Sustainable drainage systems can be found on;-

• www.ciria.org

Landform
A network managed by CIRIA, set up to disseminate good practice, research outputs and policy relating to sustainable drainage and flood risk management to planners and operational staff within Local Planning Authorities.

Useful information can be found on;-

• www.ciria.org/landform

Each of the links below will direct you to a page with information regarding the chosen topic.

• 5.1 Site run-off reduction
• 5.2 Natural drainage systems

The following DBP case studies may also be useful in this area.

DBP00132 - Grease Separator