As the UK moves into winter, potentially a time of greater flood risk as seen during the 2013-2014 winter, the Construction Industry Research and Information Association  (CIRIA)  has launched the most comprehensive industry SuDS guidance available in the UK . This guidance focuses on the cost-effective planning, design, construction, operation and maintenance of SuDS.

SuDS recognise the value of rainwater, seeking to capture, use, delay or absorb it, rather than reject it as a nuisance or problem. Sustainable drainage delivers multiple benefits. As well as delivering high quality drainage whilst supporting areas to cope better with severe rainfall, SuDS can also improve the quality of life in developments and urban spaces by making them more vibrant, visually attractive, sustainable and resilient to change by improving urban air quality, regulating building temperatures, reducing noise and delivering recreation and education opportunities.

Earlier this year a ministerial statement made by The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government made it clear that SuDS must play a greater role in the planning system, and to that effect it was made a requirement that sustainable drainage systems will be provided in new major developments wherever appropriate.

The SuDS Manual (C697), first published by CIRIA in 2007, is the one-stop-shop for delivering SuDS and it is this guidance that has been significantly revised. The updated SuDS Manual (now C753) incorporates the very latest research, industry practice and guidance. In delivering SuDS there is a requirement to meet the framework set out by the Government’s ‘non statutory technical standards’ and the revised SuDS Manual complements these but goes further to support the cost effective delivery of multiple benefits.

The updated SuDS Manual (C753) is collaboratively funded and  is available to download for free from the CIRIA website (www.ciria.org). CIRIA also manage the susdrain website (www.susdrain.org) that provides a range of resources and information for those involved in delivering SuDS.

Paul Shaffer, Associate at CIRIA comments:

“The SuDS Manual reflects CIRIA’s stance that well designed SuDS deliver multiple benefits, as well as manage local flood risk. The Manual is the cornerstone of CIRIA’s work on SuDS that includes the BeST project (Benefits of SuDS Tool), susdrain, CIRIA’s SuDS training and extensive catalogue of SuDS related guidance. CIRIA is also developing future work to improve SuDS construction, planning and assessment providing the industry with the competence and confidence to embrace SuDS fully.”