JSR

As new housing developments continue to increase, traditional methods of managing surface water are not sustainable, as watercourses cannot cope with the increased surface water run-off partnered with the impact of climate change. Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) act as an alternative method to directly channelling surface water flows through the traditional pipe and sewer system. SUDS utilise a series of management techniques to recreate the natural drainage routes by aiming to intercept at source. It has been identified that optimum methods of managing surface water are rarely achieved due to the number and different priorities of stakeholders involved in the approval process. The aim of this study was to identify the driving factor influencing the end of line (EoL) SUDS features being implemented within residential developments across central Scotland with focus on stakeholders’ influences. Mixed method approach was adopted via an electronic questionnaire to collect qualitative and quantitative data in tandem. Case study approach was also taken to identify common SUDS features within twelve existing residential developments and redesign an existing site based on the principles of the SUDS philosophy. The data collected confirmed that end-of-line SUDS such as basins and swales are most frequently implemented within residential developments and there are many organisations involved in the design and approval process. The data highlighted that end-of-line SUDS are specified as this is a cost-effective solution that usually avoids encountering unnecessary problems throughout the approvalprocess with the local and water authorities. The re-design of a representative case study showed that by implementing the principles set out in the SUDSmanagement train, managing the volume and quality of surface run-off will be easier as this will be captured at source initially. However, there is a lowerconstruction cost associated with installing an end-of-line detention basin within residential developments compared to a cellular storage system, and this could be a critical factor for developers when designing SUDS features as they often look to keep construction costs as low as possible.

sustainability; drainage; SUDS; stakeholder engagement; drainage design; cost comparison; porous paving; roadside swales; cellular systems