What is a Sustainable Urban Drainage system?

SuDS is an acronym for a Sustainable Urban Drainage System, which refers to a range of water management methods designed to successfully handle natural water processes in urban environments using modern drainage systems.

SuDS allow for the successful drainage of excess surface water in developed areas where there is little green space and permeable ground, interrupting the natural water cycle and affecting our natural environment.

Every new commercial or domestic development needs to consider where excess surface water run-off goes, allowing for adequate drainage. This is not an option but a legal requirement. Water must either be reintroduced to the natural water cycle or be disposed of efficiently without overflow of existing drainage.

In rural environments, 95% of rainwater is efficiently drawn away from the surface as it is reabsorbed into the ground, taken up by plants and trees, diverted to local waterways or it simply evaporates. This natural water cycle is disrupted in urban environments where there is less green space and permeable ground available. 95% of rainfall becomes excess surface water, which can cause flooding, pollution and erosion problems.

By taking rainwater management and SuDS technology into consideration early on in construction and landscape process, designers can improve the quality of life for those living and working in urban areas for years to come. This is a legal requirement and therefore everyone’s responsibility in the landscape planning process. So urban areas can cope with severe rainfall, SuDS technology, such as permeable paving solutions, should be incorporated to ensure that surface water runoff can be controlled or harvested more effectively.

• The first image shows natural forestation where 95% of water infiltration is absorbed and only 5% surface run off.
• The second image depicts a development without permeable paving solution, where 95% surface run off is possible with only 5% water infiltration being absorbed, which could lead to flooding. 
• The third image illustrates permeable paving solution being installed where the new development mimics the natural rainwater filtration.

Our Aquata clay pavers incorporate SuDS technology to help eliminate the problems that urban environments encounter as a result of severe rainfall and inadequate water drainage provisions. Aquata dutch-style pavers offer a solution to this by providing a controlled method of draining away rainwater, whilst also embodying the performance and aesthetics of our standard clay pavers.

The design of our Aquata paver features large vertical nibs which allow for the free flow of water through 6mm thick joints into the terrain below. A one-hectare area of Aquata pavers allow 20,000 litres of water per second per hectare to drain through to the ground, so water does not sit on the surface and contribute to flooding.

Available in a range of natural shades and offering design versatility thanks to the variety of possible laying patterns, colourfast Aquata clay pavers will keep their vibrant and rich tones even after exposure to extreme weather conditions.