Nature

Sustainable Drainage (SuDS) mimic natural drainage systems. They are a resilient and cost effective solution to surface water management.

Well-designed SuDS can:

• Significantly reduce surface water runoff, ease pressure on drainage and reduce sewage spills into watercourses;
• Reduce flood risk and improve resilience to climate change;
• Filter water and break down pollutants;
• Assist with groundwater recharge;
• Create greener, calmer, more beautiful streets;
• Bring redundant paved or highway spaces into productive use;
• Offer a more cost-effective alternative to traditional engineered drainage;
• Enhance biodiversity by creating habitat and increasing planting; and
• Improve place quality.

As the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA), Cheshire West and Chester Council has published specific SuDS guidanceopens new window, which must be read alongside DEFRA’s technical standards and the CIRIA SuDS Manual. National SuDS standardsopens new window