A sustainable drainage system (also known as SuDS or SUDS) is an approach to water management systems which aims to route rainfall back into natural water systems quickly and efficiently. Sustainable drainage systems are often used in urban centers or other areas where rainfall is prevented from entering soil or water sources by impermeable surfaces such as pavement, concrete, asphalt, etc. SuDS have gained prominence as urban sprawl and population growth exacerbate strain on water management systems.
Background edit
Drainage systems have been used in urban centers since antiquity, with early examples found in Bronze Age Minoan sites. Modern drainage systems did not appear until the 19th century, although most urban drainage systems at the time were built primarily for sewage purposes. Drainage systems for storm water surges were often combined with sewers, particularly in cities with older drainage systems. Within the past decades, as climate change and urban flooding have become increasingly urgent challenges, drainage systems designed specifically for environmental sustainability have become more popular in both academia and practice.
Process edit
The goal of all sustainable drainage systems is to use naturally occurring rainfall to recharge the water sources of a given site. These water sources are often underlying the water table, nearby streams, lakes, or other similar freshwater sources. For example, if a site is above an unconsolidated aquifer, then SuDS will aim to direct all rain that falls on the surface layer into the underground aquifer as quickly as possible. To accomplish this, SuDS use various forms of permeable layers to ensure the water is not captured or redirected to another location. Often times, these layers include soil and vegetation though they can also be artificial materials.