URBAN DRAINAGE
Surface water = opportunity
Local authority engineers, planners and landscape architects will play a leading role in implementing SUDS.
The CIRIA’s courses will improve understanding – and reveal the benefits of good schemes. Nick Myall reports
G
overnment and regulators alike are
increasingly keen to see the rapid
development of Sustainable Drainage
Systems (SUDS). These systems use surface
features such as ponds and wetlands to control
run-off, and reduce the impact of urban
development on watercourses. With the Flood
and Water Management Bill set to make SUDS
pretty much mandatory for any new
development, good practice clearly needs to be
developed. For decades the Construction
Industry Research and Information Association
(CIRIA) has been providing guidance in this area.
As a result CIRIA, together with recognised
experts have developed two face-to-face training
courses that complement guidance, assist with
compliance of regulations, and assist the delivery
of SUDS in line with the objectives of the Flood
and Water Management Bill and other legislation.
The trainers cover engineering and
landscaping disciplines and can draw on
examples they have personally delivered. Ponds and wetlands can be used to manage local flood risk and also provide leisure amenities
Commenting on CIRIA’s development of the two
courses, associate Paul Shaffer says: “CIRIA has development. Construction firms, local reinforce SUDS guidance and regulatory
been developing SUDS good practice for a authorities, and architects need to be on board. framework. The first day of the course covers
number of years now. We produced the SUDS All the key parties involved should be engaged elementary design principles and the second day
manual in 2007 but felt that practitioners so we can ensure that good schemes are will develop these concepts to an advanced level
needed confidence in implementing good constructed in line with the requirements of the and discuss the construction process.
practice. As a result we have now developed two Flood and Water Management Bill.” Paul Shaffer explains CIRIA’s approach to the
SUDS courses that use case studies, group work Securing this buy in is made easier by the fact courses: “At CIRIA we suggest that different
and expert knowledge to explore the process. that any one SUDS project need not be restricted disciplines need to be involved in any one SUDS
The foundation course outlines the key drivers to one single component. Indeed, there are a project. This is why the two courses are being
and benefits derived from SUDS. The second range of elements that can be employed, as run by an engineer, Steve Wilson, and a
course entitled Designing SUDS is more Shaffer outlines: “There are a portfolio of SUDS landscape architect, Bob Bray. This reflects the
technical. It is aimed at those specifying, components that can be exploited when fact that SUDS can offer multiple benefits to the
designing and evaluating SUDS schemes.” developing a sustainable drainage project. community and this needs to be considered
Local authorities will be key in driving the Infiltration, storage, attenuation through different during their development. As well as providing
delivery of SUDS. In England and Wales, the components like green roofs, permeable paving an approach to manage local flood risk a pond
Flood and Water Management Bill highlights the ponds and wetlands can be employed, allowing or wetland can be used as a leisure amenity.
role that different functions within local SUDS to be used on most developments.” With this in mind we need to start moving away
government (engineers, planners, landscape from viewing surface water as a problem and
architects etc) will have in implementing SUDS. The courses start seeing it as an opportunity.”
CIRIA’s training and seminars can provide help to CIRIA’s SUDS courses provide delegates with the CIRIA can also provide in-house training for
those local authorities struggling to understand information and confidence to plan, design, any organisation interested in SUDS. This can
what SUDS are all about, their benefits and how construct and manage SUDS. They support provide a more cost effective approach to train
to deliver a good scheme. attendees by covering basic principles through to colleagues and members of your supply chain
processes for the design of schemes. about the various aspects of planning, designing
Stakeholder engagement The foundation course provides a grounding and managing SUDS. ■■■
Obtaining the buy in of all the main parties in the concepts and drivers for sustainable
involved in an urban development is key to the drainage. As part of the course SUDS are For further information or to register for the
successful implementation of successful SUDS discussed in relation to drainage and the built courses, visit www.ciria.org/service/sudstraining,
projects, as Paul Shaffer explains: “Stakeholder environment. The second course, Designing email: enquiries@ciria.org
engagement is necessary at every stage of a SUDS, introduces basic design information to or call 020 7549 3300
September 2009 Water & Wastewater Treatment 35