It is expected that legislation requiring local authorities to adopt roads incorporating Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) in new developments will finally come into force later this year. Ahead of this, Hanson Formpave’s head of design, John Lloyd, provides an A-Z detailing everything you need to know on this important issue.
Aquaflow is one of the leading SUDS on the market.The concept behind SUDS is to help prevent flooding by replicating natural systems and processes to drain surface water run-off in a controlled way. This is done through collection, storage and cleaning before the water is slowly released back, either into the watercourses or directly into the ground.
BS EN ISO 9000: To ensure a quality system is specified, a SUDS supplier who is BS EN ISO 9000 accredited is recommended.
Conventional drainage systems have a limited capacity and increasing urbanisation, leading to higher levels of run-off, has put a tremendous strain on conventional storm water drainage systems. And as we saw this winter in areas such as the Thames Valley this can have dramatic consequences.
Driveways: SUDS remove oils, hydrocarbons and heavy metals, making it a specified surfacing solution for car parking zones and vehicular areas.
Environment Agency, is just one of the statutory consultees the SAB (see L) will have to consult with if an application to adopt a road, specifically impacts on them. Other consultees include sewage companies, highways authorities, Internal Drainage Boards and British Waterways.
Flooding: Extremes in weather are becoming more common and plans must be put in place to respond to wetter wet periods, larger tidal surges and more intense storms. The Flood and Water Management Act 2010 (see L) is a step towards tackling the increased likelihood of flooding.
Groundworks: Hanson Formpave’s Aquaflow system only requires builders to typically dig to a depth of 480 millimetres rather than a comparable British standard depth of 680 millimetres, saving valuable time and money, as well as reducing waste for disposal.
Highways Authority is responsible for the maintenance of SUDS in publicly maintained roads.
Interpave, the trade association and essential resource for precast concrete paving in the UK, aims to provide the latest guidance on all aspects of the paved environment: Go to: www.paving.org.uk
January was the wettest month since records began in 1910 and highlights the importance of incorporating SUDS on new developments to help control surface water run-off.
Kerb appeal: Installing permeable paving and SUDS not only helps with surface water run-off but can also enhance the look of an area increasing its desirability.
Local Authorities: The Flood and Water Management Act 2010 will require local authorities to establish a SUDS Approving Body (SAB) who will have to adopt and maintain approved SUDS that serve more than one property. What’s more, with new developments, they will have to adopt the roads once satisfied that the SUDS is constructed and functions correctly. If the road becomes publicly maintained in the future, responsibility for its maintenance will be passed to the local highways authority.
Maintenance: All paved surfaces will require occasional cleaning. In normal circumstances, regular sweeping will be sufficient.
Newbuilds: The introduction of the regulations set out in the Act will apply to all new schemes requiring planning permission. As a result house builders will be compelled to consider SUDS at the earliest stage of a project’s development.
Old legislation: Under the old legislation everyone has a right to connect their drains to sewers; the Act removes this right and approval will now be required before a connection can be made.
Proposals: When the SAB receives a valid SUDS application, it must determine whether the drainage proposals meet the National Standards for SUDS. The SAB must consult relevant statutory consultees and then notify the applicant of its decision in the case of a freestanding decision, or the local planning authority in the case of a combined application. The SAB must also notify any statutory consultees who they approached during this process.
Quantity: SUDS provide drainage through vertical channels and will allow water through the surface at a rate of approximately 9,000mm per hour.
Rainwater harvesting: A SUDS system can either drain water away in a controlled manner or it can be harvested for use in flushing toilets, washing cars and watering landscaped areas.
Sustainable: The incorporation of SUDS in a housing development provides credits under the surface water run-off and water quality category of the Code for Sustainable Homes.
Tough: As well as in driveways and residential roads, SUDS can be used in heavy duty areas such as industrial estates and haulage yards.
Utilities: Unlike traditional drainage systems, no pipework is required and there’s no need for petrol interceptors or attenuation tanks. In addition, project lead times are reduced as pipework, tanks and sewerage approval aren’t required, automatically removing the associated installation time, labour and costs – and subsequently counteracting any additional monies spent on the paving and SUDS materials.
Verified designs: Hanson Formpave offers a comprehensive design service to suit individual requirements. The service offered by our engineers includes technical and professional advice, preparation of draft proposals and validation of the client’s own designs.
Warranty: All projects created by Formpave’s design team and constructed using the correct materials are supplied with a six-year warranty, with extended versions also available.
Xylene is just one of the chemicals that the Aquaflow system can filter from the water. The system consists of a specifically designed and constructed sub-base incorporating Inbitex, a unique geotextile membrane which acts as a filter/ separation layer to optimise the cleaning of water.
Yellow: SUDS manufacturers offer a range of different permeable paving styles and colours – from autumn yellow to burnt red there is an option to suit any
