Landscaping with sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) in mind

If you’re a landscaper, you may well have noticed that homeowners are increasingly concerned about having adequate and sustainable drainage in their outside spaces. Sudden flood events are becoming more frequent, and it is not just an issue for those with houses close to rivers or streams. Over the years we have concreted over much of the land in our towns and cities and installed systems of pipes and sewers to channel surface water away. These systems are struggling to deal with the extreme weather cause by climate change and this results in localised flooding, overwhelmed sewage systems and the pollution of waterways. Because of this, outdoor spaces are increasingly being designed with sustainable drainage systems (SuDs) in mind.

What are sustainable drainage systems?

SuDS are drainage features which mimic the effects of natural drainage systems, by temporarily storing rainwater close to where it falls, then slowly releasing it. This reduces the rate of run-off, by integrating surface water management directly within a site. Rather than installing expensive drainage systems that simply redirect the water to cause a problem elsewhere, SuDs work on dealing with the water naturally at source. They come in a variety of forms that can be harnessed in domestic gardens but one of the easiest ways to incorporate SuDs into any garden project is the choice of materials used for hard landscaping.

Swap impermeable for permeable

All gardens need hard landscaping of some kind — a place for children to play, somewhere to put a dining table and chairs, a working area around a shed, or just an area that doesn’t need too much attention to reduce the burden of maintenance — but the choice of material can make a huge difference to a garden’s resilience to extreme weather events. Installing a sustainable drainage system can be as easy as swapping concrete for decking or paving slabs for gravel in these areas. Decking allows water to run between the boards and into the ground below, where it gradually drains away naturally. This is much better than allowing water to run off an impermeable surface and onto an already waterlogged lawn or into an overwhelmed drainage system.

Low maintenance options

Understandably, concrete and paving slabs are often chosen for hard landscaping areas because they require little ongoing care. For those looking for low maintenance options, or worried about the effect any excess water may have on timber decking, composite decking is an ideal choice. Millboard decking, for example, looks remarkably like timber decking, but comes without the burden of regular sanding and oiling to keep it looking good. Its polymer resin construction means that it doesn’t rot, warp or twist. It is often chosen by landscape designers for its durability, ease of maintenance and slip-resistant qualities — always a consideration on wet surfaces.

Conserving water

SuDS also work by intercepting and containing rainwater as it falls, diverting it away from overburdened drainage systems or already waterlogged lawns. Rainwater capture systems can be easily incorporated into any garden scheme. The water saved can then be used to irrigate lawns and planting during periods of drought, thus reducing the demand for mains water. Capture systems can include water butts, planters, tree pits or ponds and bog gardens. They are easy to install and act as reservoirs for holding water which might otherwise collect on hard surfaces and contribute to local flooding.

The future of landscape design

Sustainable drainage systems deliver benefits on many levels, whether a garden is large or small, urban or countryside. The more they are incorporated into garden design, the greater their impact and benefit to the wider community in general. As consumers become more aware of sustainable gardening practices, their choice of materials will start to reflect this — we will see less traditional hard landscaping such as paving, tiles and concrete, and more gravel, lawn and decking. We can all play a part in making our landscape more people, water and wildlife friendly.