Abstract
Sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) can be a key tool in the management of extremes of rainfall, due to their capacity to attenuate and treat surface water. Yet, implementation is a complex process, requiring buy-in from multiple stakeholders. Buy-in is often undermined by a lack of practical evidence and monitoring of implemented SuDS. In this paper, we present a collaborative case study between a local authority, university and the UK Environment Agency. This partnership approach enabled the installation of SuDS and monitoring equipment to address surface runoff in the north east of England. Ultrasonic sensors were installed in the drainage network to evaluate the attenuation of surface water. SuDS were installed during an atypically wet spring, followed by a hot and dry summer, providing a range of conditions to assess their performance. Results demonstrate that there was a statistically significant difference in the detected flow level in manholes downstream of the SuDS interventions. Several challenges occurred, from signal obstacles in wireless telecommunication services, to logistical constraints of installing sensors in the drainage network, and issues with the adoption of property level SuDS. These issues require further research. Qualitative support for partnership working was crucial to increase the capacity for delivering SuDS. To ensure the success of future schemes and likelihood of SuDS uptake, partnership working and engaging with communities is vital.
Highlights
The management of urban drainage is a critically important challenge and sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) are a key tool in managing extremes of rainfall [1,2]
The results demonstrate that SuDS can result in a significant reduction in runoff, but this study highlights the importance of partnership working, and the added value it can deliver in implementing sustainable drainage interventions at the property and the street scale
The ultrasonic sensors, installed at the street scale to quantify the volume of runoff attenuated by two SuDS tree pits, recorded a statistically significant decrease in manhole flow level downstream of the deployed interventions equating to a 25–30% reduction in mean flow level
Summary
The management of urban drainage is a critically important challenge and sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) are a key tool in managing extremes of rainfall [1,2]. SuDS consist of a range of technologies and techniques used to drain stormwater and excess surface water in a manner that is more sustainable than conventional solutions [3]. They are based on the philosophy of replicating “as closely as possible the natural, pre-development drainage from a site with installations based on natural hydrological processes which utilise vegetated land surfaces” [4]. SuDS have a secondary role in greening the environment They are one way in which ecosystems are used to address mounting urban sustainability challenges, giving people access to nature to improve health and wellbeing
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