Revisions to the CIRIA SuDS Manual, the so-called UK ‘bible’ for Sustainable Drainage System design and delivery, have been welcomed by industry experts for heralding a more pragmatic approach that could help to get more SuDS schemes delivered in future.

“CIRIA are to be commended on delivering an excellent document through widespread industry consultation,” said Mark Goodger, Stormwater Regional Technical Manager for Hydro International and who was a member of the project steering group consulted prior to the publication of the new CIRIA C753 SuDS Manual  on 12 November.

He described the update as a significant step forward, particularly in the way it has realigned the use of proprietary treatment devices as a fully-legitimate member of the SuDS component toolbox. 

In the 2007 edition, manufactured treatment devices that remove pollutants through processes such as hydrodynamic vortex separation were classed only for use in ‘pre-treatment’; the distinction led to restrictions in the way they could be applied in schemes across the country.

Mark Goodger continued:

 “Precision-engineered solutions are not the enemies of Green Infrastructure, they can enable it.  The more balanced, pragmatic approach represented in C753 recognises the valuable contribution that manufactured devices make, helping to bring about a ‘can do’ approach to getting SuDS schemes built.”

“In particular manufactured devices can help to define and implement more predictable maintenance and service approaches for SuDS that can facilitate adoption and ownership; issues that have been a barrier to progress.”

“Just as important is the need to change perceptions that land-take and construction cost limitations stand in the way of delivering effective schemes.  By creating precision-engineered solutions using a range of components, developers can achieve the best of both worlds, retaining valuable space for building and still engineering drainage pathways that work as nature intended.  It can be done.”

Hydro International provided explanatory text and illustrations to help with chapters of the manual devoted to proprietary treatment systems and to flow controls techniques.  The company has played a key role in the continuing campaign to get SuDS installed routinely, not only in new developments, but also in retrofit surface water flooding and pollution control projects.

Mark Goodger commented:

 “I would urge every consulting engineer and local authority to take note of the updated document, which will no doubt continue to be a seminal reference guide not only in the design of new developments, but also for local planning and lead local flood authorities as they interpret and implement schemes locally in the light of the regulations in place in England, Scotland and Wales.”