Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS)
Greenbelt recognises the needs and challenges of the development industry to incorporate sustainable techniques for surface water drainage of new housing developments.
Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) take into account water quality, water quantity and amenity issues. SUDS aim to minimise the impact of urban development on the water environment, reduce flood risk and provide habitats for wildlife.
SUDS are a requirement for all new developments within Scotland, whilst their use In England and Wales is championed by the Environment Agency and some Local Authorities.
What we do
We offer UK wide expertise in the long term management of SUDS, whilst continually striving to develop efficient and cost effective maintenance and operation regimes in line with best practice.
We have developed close links with the University of Abertays Urban Water Technology Centre (UWTC), a centre of excellence in the application of best management practices to urban drainage systems.
We currently have a collaboration contract with UWTC which continues a long partnership with them to provide us with technical expertise and research information.
Greenbelt are actively working in collaboration with a number of Water Authorities and Consultants across the UK to provide sustainable solutions for the long term management of SUDS.
Benefits
The development industry, by choosing Greenbelt to take responsibility for the long term management of SUDS within developments, can be confident that:
- planning obligations to provide for the long term management of SUDS will be met;
- SUDS implemented by developers will be managed by a qualified, experienced and skilled management team with strong advisory, research and development networks, ensuring current best practice is adhered to at all times;
- the financial mechanism for the long term operation and management of SUDS is sustainable through Greenbelt's Greenspace mechanism.
Greenbelt understands that many homeowners may not be familiar with SUDS, the purpose they serve, and the necessary management techniques required for them to operate correctly as drainage structures. As a result we provide homeowners with a comprehensive leaflet that provides a section with answers to frequently asked questions which, in our experience, homeowners find useful and informative.
Continuous development
Greenbelt contractors recently (March 2010) underwent training for maintenance and inspection of sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS).
This refresher course was aimed at supervisor level contractors and intended to ensure that they are well versed with maintenance and operation regimes for the long term management of SUDS.
The training was delivered over two days at Dunfermline East Expansion by Neil Berwick of the Urban Water Technology Centre (http://www.uwtc.tay.ac.uk/), a specialist consultancy based within the University of Abertay Dundee.
The training focussed on common operational issues with SUDS, assessment of condition and operation, and importantly, reporting.
Greenbelt recognises the need for effective inspection and maintenance of SUDS, an area where there is currently limited guidance available, and is leading the industry in best practice within this field.
Greenbelt believe that SUDS operation and maintenance is more than just ensuring that the structures reduce pollution and mitigate against the risk of flooding; it is also about providing attractive ‘green' structures that offer habitat potential for local plants and animals and bring the community closer to nature.