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Sustainable Drainage Systems - Research and development

Find out what Sustainable Drainage Systems (SUDS) research projects the Environment Agency is involved with

Although many of the elements of the Sustainable Drainage Systems (SUDS) approach to drainage have been in use for a long time, there is a need to better understand:

  • how they work individually and in combination
  • what their maintenance requirements are and associated cost information.

A wide range of work has already been undertaken or is underway. A detailed summary of relevant research is available on the Construction Industry Research and Information Association (CIRIA) website.

Environment Agency SUDS research

The Environment Agency is a partner in a number of SUDS related research projects. These include:

  • Yorkshire Ponds - SUDS maintenance - a study of accumulated sediments in drainage ponds, Bradford University
  • Bourne Stream Project - a study of a small urban catchment and the opportunities for SUDS
  • social aspects of SUDS - a study of attitudes to urban water and SUDS in particular, University of Abertay, Dundee
  • the use of SUDS in high density developments - collaborative project managed by HR Wallingford
  • model agreements for sustainable water management systems - collaborative project managed by CIRIA
  • SUDS Techniques - further guidance on hydraulic and structural design standards - collaborative project managed by CIRIA.

A number of site specific studies have been undertaken by the Scottish Universities SUDS group and individual fact sheets are available for each of these on the SNIFFER website, along with a database of SUDS sites in Scotland.