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Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS )

Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) are designed with three objectives in mind: to control the quantity of run-off from a development; to improve the quality of the run-off and to enhance the nature conservation, landscape and amenity value of the site and its surroundings. SUDS deal with run-off as close to its source as possible and balance all three objectives, rather than focusing only on flood prevention. SUDS can be cost-effectively designed to work with retained natural features such as ditches or ponds, and to form an integral part of hard and soft landscaped areas. In this way, they can contribute towards an attractive scheme that enhances the nature conservation and amenity value of the development, while also recycling the valuable water resource. SUDS may include features such as permeable pavements, swales and basins, green roofs and rainwater use, ponds and wetlands. (Source: The Environment Agency)

Related terms:

• Adaptive buildings
• BREAM
• Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH)
• Construction Waste
• Design for the environment (DfE)
• Green roof (or eco-roof or living roof)
• Recycled water
• Secured by design (SBD)
• Sick Building Syndrome (SBS)
• Social Inclusion
• Sustainable Sourcing