What Can Be Designed with SuDS: Your Complete Guide to Sustainable Drainage Options

When we talk about sustainable drainage systems, the range of design possibilities is far more extensive than many architects and developers realise. At The Drainage Designers, we don't believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. Instead, we systematically evaluate every possible SuDS option for each project, ensuring you get the most suitable, cost-effective, and compliant drainage strategy for your specific site.

The Complete SuDS Design Toolkit

Surface Water Management Systems

Permeable Surfaces Permeable paving, gravel surfaces, and grass reinforcement systems allow water to infiltrate directly where it falls. These solutions work particularly well for car parks, driveways, and pedestrian areas, providing immediate water quality treatment whilst maintaining full functionality of the space.

Green Roofs From extensive sedum systems to intensive garden roofs, green roof solutions provide excellent water retention, biodiversity benefits, and building insulation. We design systems ranging from lightweight extensive roofs requiring minimal maintenance to complex intensive installations supporting full landscaping.

Blue Roofs Engineered roof systems that temporarily store rainwater before controlled release. Blue roofs are particularly effective on commercial and industrial buildings where space for ground-level SuDS is limited.

Infiltration Systems

Soakaways Traditional and modern soakaway designs, including modular crate systems and stone-filled chambers. We calculate sizing based on ground conditions, rainfall data, and discharge requirements to ensure long-term performance.

Infiltration Basins Shallow depressions designed to temporarily store and infiltrate surface water runoff. These systems can be integrated into landscaping schemes whilst providing significant storage capacity.

Infiltration Trenches Linear systems filled with permeable material, ideal for managing runoff from roads, car parks, and building roofs. Particularly effective where space is constrained but linear drainage is possible.

Conveyance and Treatment Systems

Swales Vegetated channels that convey, treat, and often infiltrate surface water. From simple grass swales to complex bioengineered systems with check dams and varied planting schemes.

Filter Strips Gently sloping vegetated areas that treat runoff through filtration and infiltration. Excellent for treating runoff from impermeable areas before it enters other SuDS components.

Bioretention Areas (Rain Gardens) Planted depressions with engineered growing medium designed to treat and manage surface water. These systems can be tailored to suit any landscape setting whilst providing excellent pollutant removal.

Storage and Attenuation Systems

Detention Basins Dry basins that temporarily store surface water during storm events, releasing it at controlled rates. Can be designed as multifunctional spaces serving recreational or amenity purposes when dry.

Retention Ponds Permanent water features that provide storage, treatment, and often significant amenity and biodiversity benefits. Particularly suitable for larger developments where space permits.

Underground Storage Systems Modular tank systems, oversized pipes, and constructed chambers that provide storage beneath ground level. Essential where surface space is at a premium but significant storage is required.

Water Reuse Systems

Rainwater Harvesting From simple water butts to complex commercial systems with pumps, filtration, and distribution networks. Now mandatory in specific scenarios under the new National SuDS Standards.

Greywater Recycling Systems that treat and reuse water from sinks, showers, and washing machines for irrigation or toilet flushing, reducing both water consumption and surface water runoff.

Specialist Applications

Constructed Wetlands Engineered systems that replicate natural wetland processes for water treatment. Particularly effective for larger developments or where high levels of water quality treatment are required.

Tree Pits and Urban Forestry Specially designed tree planting systems that manage surface water whilst providing urban greening benefits. Can be integrated into streetscapes and public realm designs.

Living Walls and Vertical Gardens Vertical growing systems that can intercept and manage rainfall whilst providing building insulation and air quality benefits.

How We Choose the Right Solution for Your Project

Site Assessment Process

Every project begins with a comprehensive site evaluation. We examine soil conditions, topography, existing drainage infrastructure, space constraints, and environmental sensitivities. This detailed assessment ensures we understand all the opportunities and limitations before recommending solutions.

Regulatory Requirements Analysis

We review all applicable planning conditions, local authority requirements, and environmental constraints. Different locations have varying requirements for water quality treatment, discharge rates, and biodiversity enhancement, all of which influence our design recommendations.

Multi-Criteria Evaluation

For each project, we systematically evaluate potential SuDS options against multiple criteria:

Technical Suitability: Ground conditions, space availability, hydraulic performance requirements, and integration with existing infrastructure.

Cost Effectiveness: Capital costs, ongoing maintenance requirements, and whole-life value including potential property value enhancement.

Environmental Benefits: Biodiversity enhancement, carbon sequestration, air quality improvement, and urban heat island reduction.

Amenity Value: Recreational opportunities, visual appeal, and community benefits that add value beyond drainage function.

Maintenance Requirements: Long-term sustainability, accessibility for maintenance operations, and compatibility with client capabilities.

Integrated Design Approach

Rather than selecting single solutions, we often recommend integrated systems that combine multiple SuDS techniques. A typical residential development might incorporate permeable paving for immediate infiltration, bioretention areas for treatment and storage, and underground attenuation for overflow management.

For commercial developments, we might design systems combining blue roofs for building-level management, swales for conveyance and treatment, and detention basins for final attenuation before controlled discharge.

Future-Proofing Considerations

Climate change, evolving regulations, and changing land use patterns all influence our recommendations. We design systems with sufficient capacity and flexibility to adapt to future requirements whilst meeting current compliance standards.

Tailored Solutions for Different Development Types

Residential Developments

For housing projects, we typically focus on solutions that provide amenity value whilst meeting drainage requirements. This might include rain gardens that enhance landscaping, permeable driveways that reduce surface water charges, and integrated tree pit systems that provide street greening.

Commercial and Industrial Projects

Larger developments often benefit from comprehensive treatment trains combining multiple techniques. We might design systems with green roofs for source control, bioretention areas for treatment, and underground storage for final attenuation.

Retrofit and Renovation Projects

Existing developments present unique challenges and opportunities. We specialise in identifying solutions that can be integrated into established sites, often combining above-ground features with underground storage to maximise limited space.

Infrastructure Projects

Roads, car parks, and public realm projects require robust solutions that can handle intensive use whilst providing effective drainage. We design systems that integrate seamlessly with hard landscaping whilst delivering long-term performance.

The Value of Professional SuDS Design

Sustainable drainage design is far more complex than selecting individual techniques from a catalogue. Successful systems require careful integration of multiple components, precise sizing calculations, detailed understanding of regulatory requirements, and consideration of long-term performance and maintenance needs.

At The Drainage Designers, we bring over 40 years of drainage design experience to every project. We don't just recommend SuDS techniques - we design complete systems that deliver compliance, performance, and value for the lifetime of your development.

Our systematic evaluation process ensures you get the most appropriate solution for your specific site, budget, and objectives. Whether you're working on a single house extension or a major mixed-use development, we have the expertise to identify and design the SuDS solution that works best for your project.

Every site is different, and every project deserves a tailored approach. When you work with us, you get the benefit of our comprehensive knowledge of SuDS techniques combined with detailed understanding of your specific requirements and constraints.

Ready to explore the SuDS options for your next project? The Drainage Designers provide expert sustainable drainage design services across England and Scotland. Contact us at 01256 807116 or martin.young@thedrainagedesigners.co.uk to discuss how we can help you achieve effective, compliant, and cost-effective drainage solutions.