According to the UK Climate Change Committee, over 1.4 million individuals residing in England face the threat of flooding with a risk of 1.75 or higher in their homes and surrounding areas, leading to damages worth £270 million each year. To tackle this issue, the Government has suggested implementing sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) as a mandatory requirement for all new developments across the country. In light of this proposal, Mark Garrard, Specification Manager at Brett Martin, delves into its implications for specifiers and explains how it will motivate developers to prioritize sustainability in their drainage solutions.
Evolving climates
According to climate forecasts, the number of people impacted by floods is expected to rise to 1.7 million in the event of global warming surpassing 2°C. As the climate changes, companies are re-evaluating their approach to sustainability in construction. This shift in mindset is reflected in the latest updates regarding the UK Government’s proposal to make sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) mandatory for all new developments in the country.
The natural world already contains useful resources to help prevent flooding, such as permeable surfaces like soil and grass that can soak up heavy rainfall, however, such resources can often be removed during the construction of new developments. By mandating SuDS, features such as detention ponds, permeable grassed surfaces and wetlands will need to be incorporated into plans. Another more sustainable option available to developers is engineered SuDS, which can include tanks and water butts that control the flow of heavy rainfall by saving and reusing the water.
Practical applications
The UK government has introduced several policies and initiatives to promote the use of SuDS in new developments and to retrofit existing infrastructure. Most recently, they have proposed to update the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 to mandate SuDS across all new developments in the UK. Other relative legislation is the National SuDS Standards which set out the framework for the design, construction, operation and maintenance of SuDS in England.
SuDS are the ideal environmentally-friendly approach to managing surface water runoff from developed areas. They mimic natural drainage systems by managing rainfall and slowly releasing it back into the environment which in turn reduces the risk of flooding, pollution and erosion. They are becoming increasingly popular in developments as a sustainable solution to traditional piped drainage systems. Engineered SuDS solutions are effective where natural SuDS systems cannot be achieved. Such examples include detention basins, which are designed to temporarily store and slowly release surface water runoff or crate systems such as Brett Martin’s StormCrate55 system.
Sustainable across all aspects
Brett Martin is recognised for its innovation in sustainable technology and building materials. It is committed to sustainability and reducing its environmental impact in numerous ways. It has reduced its energy consumption and invested in energy-efficient technologies across its manufacturing facilities which has already resulted in a significant reduction in energy consumption and carbon emissions. Brett Martin is also championing sustainability through other environmental commitments. These include recycling plastic waste, accepting waste from external sources to create new products, implementing waste reduction initiatives across its manufacturing facilities and developing new innovative products which will change the sustainability landscape of the built environment.
Brett Martin welcomes the Government’s new proposed mandate of SuDS, and is already ahead of the game with its pioneering engineered SuDS solution, the StormCrate55, an underground modular geocellular unit that provides an alternative stormwater management solution for developers.
The StormCrate55 provides several solutions for sustainable stormwater drainage. For infiltration projects, the lightweight crates are wrapped in a geotextile which allows stored water to slowly seep into the surrounding ground and back into the water table over a longer period of time. Where attenuation is the best option, contractors surround the StormCrate55 system in an impermeable geomembrane to create a sealed underground tank. An outlet can then facilitate a controlled release of the stored water back into the water table or drainage system when able to cope with.
The innovative crates have an impressive load-bearing capability of 562kN per m3, making them suitable for trafficked areas, as well as landscaped areas, pedestrianised spaces, playgrounds, parking areas, driveways and access zones. Weighing in at only 15.5kg per module they are easy to lift and install, with connectors and sheer pins allowing for the crates to join easily in a brick bond pattern. The StormCrate55 crate also has a high void ratio of 95% and stores up to 237.5 litres of water, making them an incredibly straightforward, efficient method of sustainable drainage.
The StormCrate55 modular crate system is sustainable in every way as they are manufactured out of 100% recycled polypropylene and can be recycled at end of life, a good example of the circular economy model of production and consumption, which tackles global challenges such as climate change and waste by allowing products and materials to be continuously reused and recycled.
Engineered SuDS solutions offer numerous benefits for managing surface water runoff and are not only crucial for reducing the risk of flooding, erosion and pollution but also for providing increased environmental benefits such as improving air and water quality, enhancing biodiversity and reducing carbon emissions. By adopting and integrating SuDS into new developments, developers can create more resilient and sustainable communities that benefit both people and the planet.