Date: 09 Feb 2022
Launched by South Dublin County Council
South Dublin County Council (SDCC) has launched a new guide for a sustainable approach to managing surface water while enriching the natural landscape of South Dublin County.
Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) is a method of managing rainfall and surface water that replicates drainage processes found in nature and address the issues with traditional surface water drainage. The guide aims to help create multi-functional spaces that manage the water quantity/ quality, help promote biodiversity and provide better amenity to all.
Traditionally hard engineered ‘grey’ solutions such as pipes and attenuation tanks were used to collect and quickly convey rainwater to the sewer network and ultimately the river network. This can contribute to flooding and water pollution.
More efficiently, a SuDS is a flood management tool that provides cleaner water and can also enhance the landscape of our towns and cities. Examples of SuDS in the public realm include ponds and basins, as well as green roofs, permeable paving and rainwater harvesting.
South Dublin County Council has developed a SuDS Explanatory, Design and Evaluation Guide for the County to leverage the use of SuDS. This guidance document aims to improve consistency in applying SuDS for developments in South Dublin County and to encourage a greater understanding and collaborative approach to design. This will assist everyone involved in developing projects in the County to create more sustainable developments.
This project forms part of SDCC’s Climate Change Action Plan 2019-2024. The Climate Change Action Plan includes over 130 climate initiatives and is recognised as a key enabler of ongoing public sector leadership, in implementing and harnessing climate action in South Dublin County.
Speaking at the launch, Chief Executive of SDCC, Daniel McLoughlin said “the new Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) guidance document will no doubt make a valuable contribution to South Dublin County in the future. Our drainage systems and watercourses have been subject to increasing pressure over recent years. The additional demand for new housing and new development in general within South Dublin means that the way we deal with surface runoff will have to evolve and adapt. Significant work has already been done in recent years to encourage the implementation of SuDS into new developments however the development of this document will further help us achieve our objectives and targets set out in our Climate Change Action Plan as well as our incoming County Development Plan 2022-2028 by ensuring SuDs are incorporated into new developments”.
The new ‘Sustainable Drainage Explanatory, Design and Evaluation Guide 2022’ is available to download HERE.