What are SUDS?

It is now widely recognised that the effects of climate change and the increase in the built environment have necessitated changes to the way in which stormwater is dealt with.

Sustainable drainage systems (sometimes called sustainable urban drainage systems) provide an effective way of mimicking natural drainage before development took place; whether to counteract the effect of overloading gravity pipelines and watercourses, which can contribute to flooding downstream; or conversely, dealing with rainwater run off on site to replenish ground water levels, particularly in times of water shortage. SUDS are now at the forefront of environmental policy and planning.