Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) Model
The EcoStyle Sustainable Drainage Systems (or SuDS) Model was designed with the education team at Anglian Water.
It is designed to help explain what SuDS are, and to demonstrate how they help reduce surface water flooding, improve water quality and enhance biodiversity.
Traditional Drainage
Natural infiltration of water is limited because most of the surfaces are sealed: a paved driveway, pavements, tarmac playground and road.
Water from the roof of the house is channelled by the gutters and drainpipe, but it is not collected.
The drains in the playground, on the road and the linear drain on the paved driveway, are all connected by a network of pipes to the sewer.
Using a jug or watering can, two litres of water are poured onto the side with traditional drainage to simulate rainfall.
SuDS (Sustainable Drainage Systems)
On this side of the model, only the roadside drains are connected to the sewer.
All of the other drainage measures feed into the water container at the back of the model, which represents drainage into the ground.
Tree Pit
The tree pit absorbs surface water from the road, and is connected to underlying drainage to prevent waterlogging and to allow excess water to drain away.
Bioretention Basin
Additional excess rainwater from the road is also absorbed by a bioretention basin, which filters down into an underdrain system.
Swales and Detention Basins
A series of swales channel run-off from the road into detention basins, which store flood water and allow it to soak slowly into the ground.
Water Butt
Water from the roof of the house is channelled by the gutters and drainpipe, and is collected in a water butt.
Permeable Paving
The permeable paving of the driveway allows some rainfall to infiltrate into the ground, and some is channelled to the rain garden.
Rain Garden
The rain garden also captures rainfall, again allowing some rain to infiltrate into the ground, and some is channelled to the detention basin.
An Integrated System
These systems work together to lower flow rates of surface water, and either releasing it slowly into the wastewater network, or allowing it to infiltrate into the ground.
Again using a jug or watering can, two litres of water are poured onto the side with SuDS to simulate rainfall.
This time, we can see that far less run-off has entered the sewer.
The remaining rainwater has been absorbed into the ground, relieving the flow into the sewer and significantly reducing the risk of flooding.
SuDS Model Case Study: Living With Water
‘Living With Water’ is a partnership between Yorkshire Water, Hull City Council, East Riding of Yorkshire Council, the Environment Agency and the University of Hull – all of which play a role in managing water in Hull and the East Riding.
They are working together to build flood resilience, develop innovative water management systems, and build understanding about the threats and opportunities that water brings to the region.
Living With Water asked EcoStyle for a model that shows ways in which residents can take simple actions to mitigate surface water damage and to bring the benefits of sustainable drainage to life.
Lynnsey Pilmer, Communications and Engagement Manager for Yorkshire Water said: ‘Having the SuDS Model to take to community events and schools has been invaluable to the way we engage with residents.’
‘Over the past three years we have engaged with over 6,000 residents, using the SuDS Model at community events, scout groups and schools to educate around the risk of flooding we face in Hull and East Riding.
‘We have used the model to have quality conversations with communities about their flood risk and what they can do to become more resilient.
‘Flooding and flood risk can be a difficult conversation to have with anyone - whether you have been flooded directly or indirectly - but interactive, relevant tools such as the SuDS Model have helped us raise awareness, educate communities about the work we are doing and increase the number of flood warning sign-ups over the five years that we have been using the model.’
What’s included?
- Surface Drainage Systems (SuDS) Model
- Two removeable houses
- Three 2L water containers
- Three removeable cars
- Removable upper grass insert
- Spare set of inserts (grass verge, tree pit, detention basin, swales, detention basins, rain garden, permeable paving)
- 3L measuring jug
- Padded carry case
Quality Matters
EcoStyle’s products are assembled by hand in our factory in the United Kingdom to the highest quality standards.
Our assembly processes and stringent quality checks ensure consistent product reliability.
EcoStyle is the proud recipient of a number of awards, including the Federation of Small Businesses’ Innovation Award and Environmental Responsibility Award, and Bedfordshire Rising Stars’ Green Business Award.