By 2050, more than 70% of the world’s population will live in cities, putting huge pressure on drainage systems. In the UK alone, unmanaged rainwater contributes to up to a third of urban flood risk.
Water management has become a matter of urgency, and Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) are a practical and policy-abiding solution to help cities adapt to these challenges, prevent flooding and reduce pollution.
Our Approach
Our SuDS solutions come with a bit of extra greenery. Integrating plants into our systems is our speciality, allowing us to enhance the urban environment and public wellbeing through SuDS planters that manage runoff, rain gardens that boost biodiversity, and green roofs that bring greenery to the built environment.
Our planting schemes often involve hardy plant types and perennials which keeps our SuDS low maintenance and ensures their longevity. We want our efforts to have lasting impact - and with rain gardens shown to absorb up to 30% more water than a typical lawn, we're helping to future-proof our spaces against flooding.
The CIRIA SuDS Manual
To ensure our SuDS reflect our commitment to best practice, we align our designs with the principles set out by CIRIA (2015). Their SuDS Manual sets out 4 key outcomes that guide sustainable drainage in the UK:
Water Quantity – Managing rainfall close to where it falls to reduce flood risk and ease pressure on drainage systems.
Water Quality – Filtering pollutants and sediments naturally before they reach drainage networks and waterways.
Biodiversity – Creating habitats that support pollinators, birds, and other wildlife.
Amenity – Enhancing the appearance and usability of public spaces for people and communities.
By embedding these principles in our designs, we help clients meet their sustainability goals while creating greener, healthier places for us to live and work.
The future of urban drainage
The future of drainage in our cities is green. The UK Government recently updated the national standards for Sustainable Drainage Systems in the UK. Though not yet mandatory, the standards set out stronger guidance for the design, function and maintenance of SuDS in new developments and encourage solutions rooted in nature to inspire more resilient urban spaces that support both people and the planet.
