Why Use Sustainable Drainage Systems?
Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems also knows as SuDS, are a sequence of water management practices and facilities designed to drain surface water in a manner that will provide a more sustainable approach than what has been the conventional practice of routing run-off through a pipe to a watercourse. In the UK, surface water run-off is typically diverted into piped networks. However, with the current climate change and the resultant changes in rainfall patterns, there has been an increased peak flow run-off rate, which leads to overloading of drainage systems, resulting in failure, and regular incidents of major flooding and pollution. Many developed areas across the world are now entering a state of ‘water stress’ – not because there’s less water available, but because water is quickly channeled away from its natural path and prevented from soaking deep into the ground where it would naturally have maintained our aquifers, artificially creating a drought situation. Consequently, the European Water Framework Directive requires that we manage our water resources in a more sustainable way and provide an enhanced level of protection to water quality.
Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) can make a key contribution in the reduction of urban flooding and pollution and are designed to return storm water to the water table as close as possible to where it falls. This is where the Gridforce system can be utilized. It is important to acknowledge that Gridforce permeable paving is a system and not just a plastic paver; the design of the sub-base is essential to the system’s performance. The Gridforce pavers are normally laid on a free draining stone base, eliminating the requirement for drainage pipework, and returning storm water to the water table, thereby relieving pressure on sewers.