Sustainable Drainage Systems SUDS

It is now law that surface water run-off from gardens should be controlled so that flooding is avoided.

Home-owners and landscaping companies have a duty of care and a legal obligation to discharge surface water, that cannot naturally find its way into the sub-soil, into a proper drainage channel - read the Paving Expert's explanation of SUDS.

In 2008, the government passed a law that prevents home owners from paving over front gardens without making adequate provision for the run-off from the surface water.

Jackson's Landscape Design is certified to advise on and carry out installations where the observation of the SUDS law is a requirement.

What is SUDS?

It is an approach to managing rainfall in development that replicates natural drainage.

It aims to:

* Prevent pollution
* Control flooding
* Recharge groundwater
* Enhance the environment

Run-off is collected and stored to allow natural cleaning to occur prior to infiltration or controlled release to watercourses.

SUDS techniques allow natural drainage to function in the landscape surrounding development.

There are four general design options:

* Filter strips and swales
* Filter drains and permeable surfaces
* Infiltration devices
* Basins and ponds

It is important to understand how these techniques work together to provide the aims of SUDS in the most practical, cost-effective and beneficial way.

See the Construction Industry Research and Information Association for the full guidance on SUDS.

The image is of a contemporary drive design in Exeter that complies with the Sustainable Drainage Systems obligations.

Environment Agency - Guidance on the permeable surfacing of front gardens

Comments

[Kerry Jackson]

No planning permission required!
Planning permission can be both time
consuming and costly to obtain. Forty
percent of Councils responding to a
recent survey say that they have
taken action to enforce the new Front
Garden Legislation.
Planning permission is not required
when using permeable paving
system incorporating both the blocks and
aggregates, meaning a hassle free, legal,
sustainable solution.

[twitter.com/TERRAMLtd]

More information can be found at http://www.terramlandscape.com/new-planning-rules-for-front-gardens.html where you can download the Guidance on the permeable surfacing of front gardens document.

[Kerry Jackson]

Thanks Emma, tell me please is the Terram fabric a requirement that must be placed between a suitable sub-base and the 20mm washed aggregate?

[twitter.com/TERRAMLtd]

Kerry, using Terram geotextile is not a must use requirement it is best practice recommendation. If you would like any further information do not hesitate to contact me.

Emma Gould
Marketing Co-ordinator
01495 767412
egould@terram.com

[Kerry Jackson]

Thanks to Marshalls for allowing me to use some images and text of their products.

[Stuart Marler]

Very interesting blog sir, can you answer this question for me:

With the Marshalls Driveline Priora type of block paving, what is the maintenance routine?

Surely ingress of dirt will eventually stop the porousity of the material and allowing weeds to grow.

How do you combat this?

Stuart Marler
www.tvglandscaping.co.uk

[Kerry Jackson]

Great question Stuart.
Unfortunately there is now no common cure for reducing the amount of dirt mixed with the elements, or every day living.
Care must be taken when the product has been used for any drive way, IE if your working away cutting timber place a sheet under the area. Membranes may be used between, sub grade and sub base which will help stop the growth of weeds, unfortunately NO sealants can be used when the material is permeable.
When the dirt's have eventually built up between the gaps, a power wash would be sufficient, remove all 3mm washed jointing with jet wash and allow to dry and replace with fresh 3mm jointing aggregates.

Hope this helps Stuart.

[Kerry Jackson]

Stuart

The product that fits the criteria of clogging up the widened gaps is NCC streescape polymeric and resign bound jointing compounds, both products are permeable and will with stand a good blast from a pressure washer too with out any jointing being dislodged.

I know this helps.