EPG Clear UK - Sustainable Drainage Design

Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) is a relatively new approach to the management of rainfall runoff on development sites. It eliminates the problems associated with conventional drainage by utilising a range of design techniques that ensure runoff is collected, stored and cleaned prior to its controlled release to the environment.

The principle aim of SUDS is to minimise the impact of surface water runoff on the natural environment through flood control, pollution prevention and improved public amenity.

Sustainable Drainage is advocated by the Environment Agency (EA Policy no EAS/2/1/1), increasingly required by Local Authorities in the planning process and recommended in Planning Policy Guidance (PPG 25) - Development and Flood Risk.

Sustainable Drainage is rapidly developing as a distinct discipline, but it is frequently misunderstood by the construction industry and can be poorly interpreted by the design profession.

EPG Clear provides a comprehensive design and management consultancy comprising acknowledged experts in the field of Sustainable Drainage.

The design team can ensure that project-specific requirements are achieved through a combination of technical expertise, practical application of geotechnical engineering, drainage assessment and our long term commitment to ongoing research into the development of SUDS techniques.

A specialist hydraulic modelling capability that fully assesses drainage design and optimises the SUDS solution is available for larger and complex projects.

EPG Clear can provide accredited, cost effective, efficient, easily managed Sustainable Drainage design solutions. Our objective is to instigate new and improved design methods that meet the SUDS challenge of creating a benign solution to rainwater management through the utilisation of innovative technology while maintaining the environmental management objectives.

EPG Clear is proficient in the design of SUDS and has designed schemes for a diverse range of projects. Examples of recent projects include:

		Springfields – An out of town shopping development in Spalding. Incorporating the conceptual and detailed design of a cost effective flow attenuation solution and associated surface water drainage.

		East Midlands Airport – Car park development. Incorporating the conceptual design, modelling and detailed design of a combined flow attenuation/infiltration system with innovative and cost effective petrol interception.

		Leicester City Council – Park and Ride Schemes. Incorporating preliminary designs for attenuation and wetland solutions to three discrete high specification car parks.

		Evreham Centre – Adult Education Centre in Buckinghamshire. Design of a retro-fit sustainable drainage system using linear soakaways.

The choice of SUDS mechanism is dependent on a number of factors: the size of catchment area, limiting discharge, site hydrology, infiltration capacity, pollutants present in runoff, the presence of Groundwater Source Protection Zones.

Large scale ponds and wetlands are generally more appropriate for larger (> 5ha) sites, whilst attenuation, infiltration trenches, swales, filter strips and porous pavements are suitable for large and small sites. The selection of the appropriate mechanism can help to reduce diffuse pollution and, in some cases, negate the need for fuel interceptors.

EPG Clear is continually developing ways to manage the storage of stormwater runoff and aid the planning process by making effective use of the space available on development projects.

		Specialist advice on conceptual designs and planning approval

		Design and project management of accredited SUDS solutions

		SUDS management and maintenance systems

		Detailed modelling and optimisation of large, complex systems

		Retrofit SUDS design

		SUDS design accreditation service

		Technical support and validation

Intro	Sustainable Drain Design	Flood Risk Assessments

Drainage Assessment and Modelling		Contact Details