Surface water drainage is a critical aspect of managing any property. Without it, excess rainwater can quickly cause flooding damage to buildings and their surroundings, or even dangerous contamination of natural waterways caused by pollutants entering them untreated through storm drains.
So, it’s important to understand the different types of surface water drainage systems available in order to determine which would work best for your unique needs and situation – ensuring your commercial premises are adequately protected against floods, while still allowing proper drainage management practices in place.
Surface Water Runoff System
The most common type of surface water drainage in the UK is surface water runoff. This occurs when rain falls onto paved surfaces such as roads and runs off into drains or streams.
In order to prevent flooding, built up areas with impermeable surfaces use a combination of grates, gullies and channels that are designed to collect, store and direct excess surface water away from built-up areas. However, it does come with some drawbacks including potential flooding if the runoff channels become blocked or overwhelmed by heavy rainfalls.
Sustainable Drainage System (SuDs)
A sustainable drainage system (SuDS) is an alternative to traditional surface water runoff systems and is growing in popularity throughout the UK. SuDS rely on natural processes rather than man-made structures to capture and filter out pollutants from excess rainwater, before returning it safely to the environment (such as ponds and wetlands) —in most cases via groundwater recharge basins or infiltration trenches filled with gravel or soil.
As well as providing an environmentally friendly solution for dealing with excess rainwater, SuDS also help to reduce flood risk by preventing large amounts of water being discharged onto roads and other areas during intense rainfall events.
Stormwater Management System
Stormwater management systems are designed to protect urban areas from flooding during heavy rain. This type of surface water drainage system typically includes detention tanks or retention ponds which can hold large volumes of stormwater temporarily until it can be safely and slowly released at a controlled rate into natural waterways, without causing flooding downstream.
Stormwater management systems are used often due to their ability to reduce flood risks, while still protecting local environments from pollution.
Rainwater Harvesting System
Rainwater harvesting systems are becoming increasingly popular, particularly in reducing demand on mains supplies. These systems collect rainwater from rooftops via gutters and pipes before storing it in large tanks for later use such as toilet flushing or garden irrigation.
In short, rainwater harvesting systems provide a sustainable solution for managing surface water runoff, while also helping households and businesses conserve precious resources like drinking water during prolonged periods of drought or heatwave conditions.
Need help with your surface water drainage system?
Ultimately, understanding different types of surface drainage systems will help ensure that your property remains safe during periods of heavy rainfall while protecting local ecosystems from pollutants — so be sure to do your due diligence before making any decisions!
With guidance from our drainage maintenance experts at Hebs Group, you will be able to keep your drainage systems in good working order. Give us a call on 0151 2360707 or send an email to info@hebs-group.co.uk for more information.
