Sustainable Drainage Systems (SUDS) are considered rural sustainable water management practices in order to mitigate the adverse effects caused by flooding and storms. Furthermore, they should be considered as an efficient means in maximising benefits to water quality, biodiversity, amenity, flood risk management, economic gain and climate change adaptation.
The integration of these systems in a large number of developments is becoming very diffuse both for residential schemes and schools. The SUDS Manual (CIRIA publication C697) gives indications regarding the design process and calculations in order that sustainable drainage principles are considered. Furthermore, the Draft Standards for Sustainable Drainage Systems (SUDS) aims to meet the requirements given by the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 (FWM Act) where it is compulsory for SUDS to be integrated into buildings.
There are different SUDS types that can be designed in order to control and manage both the runoff quality and quantity in urban centres as well as in rural areas. These are designed as drainage systems. The design of SUDS systems has to consider different aspects, ie. water quality, water quantity, amenity design and criteria equally. Furthermore, both architectural and landscape requirements have to be involved in order to consider the site characteristics as well as the building requirements.
The BREEAM considers the integration, design and maintenance of SUDS as an ecological measure adopted to enhance the ecology of the site. In fact, the integration of Sustainable Drainage Systems minimises the water course pollution. The SUDS manual gives specific indications about how to design these systems.
The CSH in Category 4: Surface Water Run-off considers SUDS as an efficient method in order to minimise the risk of flooding and other environmental damage in watercourses.
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