Utility landscaping is the practice of integrating green infrastructure, SuDS and other nature-based features into utility projects, Rather than treating landscaping as an afterthought, utility landscaping embeds sustainable drainage, planting and biodiversity into the essential works that take place, turning investment in infrastructure into a green benefit that changes the landscape and benefits the wider community.
At Meristem Design, we partner with utility companies like water companies to design, deliver and maintain green infrastructure projects that tackle surface water flooding, reduce pressure on our sewers and improves the quality of water entering our rivers and waterways.
What does utility landscaping involve?
Utility landscaping is a lot more than just plant design and installation. We manage projects from initial site surveys and design through to installation, community engagement and long-term maintenance. By seeing the whole process through under one roof, we ensure that nothing gets lost between stages.
The work itself can take many forms, including:
All are tailored to the site, the surrounding community and the drainage needs of the area.
Utility landscaping and SuDS for water companies
Retrofitting SuDS into existing urban spaces and infrastructure is one of the most effective tools available when looking to integrate underground utility works with surface water reduction. As planted features, SuDS allow for utility infrastructure to do more for the environment and community by enhancing aesthetics, boosting biodiversity and contributing to cleaner air and water.
Identifying the right sites for utility landscaping schemes
We work with water company teams to identify high-impact sites across their networks, including streets, junctions, verges, school grounds and other public spaces, where SuDS planters and rain gardens could seamlessly fit to intercept rainwater during heavy events. The schemes are always designed to be low-maintenance using tailored planting designs, visually engaging with add-ons and accessories and smooth to install. This makes SuDS suited to delivery across all different sites.
Beyond simple drainage functions, SuDS in utility landscapes can create green, engaging and biodiverse spaces that communities fan see and benefit from directly. This heightens the importance of proper investment into turning infrastructure into visible and useful community assets.
Community engagement in utility landscape projects
Schemes that involve major changes to infrastructure, greening and SuDS are most successful when local communities understand, support and even get involved with them. As part of our projects, we work alongside water companies to engage residents, schools and other local groups throughout the process to explain how the features work, why they matter and how they can benefit the local area.
Coordinating utility landscaping with streetworks
Utility works already involve digging up the streets to maintain and upgrade pipes, cables and other underground assets. Rather than simply reinstating the paved surfaces afterwards, utility landscaping makes the most of these works to introduce green infrastructure at the same time. This helps to cut costs and time and avoids the need to dig up the same area twice.
The 'Dig Once, Green Twice' approach to utility landscaping
The GLA's 'Dig Once, Green Twice' is a technical guide to integrating SuDS and trees into planned streetworks, setting out how this can be done seamlessly to provide lasting benefits for the environment and affected communities. For utility and water companies, this coordinated approach means utility landscaping can be planned inline with routine maintenance and upgrades, reducing disruption, sharing costs and creating new opportunities for public greenery.
Utility landscaping in practice
Lower Green West, Mitcham
Working with Merton Council and fully funded through the Ofwat SuDS in Streetworks initiative, we delivered a multifunctional rain garden in Mitcham designed to manage surface water while engaging the local community. Key features included:
- 54.8m² of rain garden to replace concrete and pedestrian guard rail
- Play features including stepping logs, balance beam and boulders
- Two bug hotels
- Educational and interactive signage to encourage community ownership
Greater Manchester schools programme with United Utilities
In partnership with United Utilities, we delivered SuDS planter installations across 12 schools in Greater Manchester, turning hard playgrounds into greener, more functional educational environments. Key outcomes included:
- SuDS planters across 12 school sites
- Interactive cloud downpipe features
- Planting schemes designed for both sun and shade conditions
- Biodiversity boost
- Water audits carried out at each school to identify leaks and reduce water use
Greater Manchester schools SuDS Planters with United Utilities
Maintenance and long-term utility landscaping partnerships
Utility landscaping does not just end after installation. Long-term maintenance is essential to ensuring green infrastructure continues to perform and look its best. We offer ongoing maintenance programmes for our utility landscaping schemes to give our utility partners and surrounding communities the confidence that the scheme will deliver lasting environmental and community benefits as the years progress.
