home > suds research projects > ciria suds projects > updated SUDS guidance
N.B. This project is now completed and its output can be downloaded by clicking here
This project will collate review and where necessary update research to deliver comprehensive and definitive best-practice guidance on the planning, design and construction of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SUDS) to assist engineers, designers, planners and developers with the incorporation of SUDS in developments. This will benefit the environment by improving biodiversity, and decreasing the risk of pollution incidents and flooding by sustainably managing surface runoff.
CIRIA and HR Wallingford are undertaking SUDS – updated guidance on technical design and construction (CIRIA RP697) that will be updating best practice guidance on SUDS to produce a SUDS compendium.
The expanding knowledge and experience gained on SUDS has led to a re-definition of best practice and a greater understanding of basic principles. It is important that practitioners have access to information on best practice. In order to ensure that new research and guidance can effectively support the implementation of SUDS it needs to be targeted to the correct audience at the right level.
The outputs of this project will consist of a detailed technical design guide for all involved in the planning, design, construction and maintenance of SUDS, a booklet/leaflet to inform construction professionals on good practice in the construction of SUDS.
Best practice guidance on SUDS has been in circulation for over three years with other sustainable drainage publications circulated for nearly ten years. There are now a number of different organisations undertaking research on SUDS looking at many different aspects of sustainable drainage.
As part of this project CIRIA have also been tasked with determining the requirements for guidance and gaps in SUDS research, as perceived by industry. Identifying gaps in research should facilitate the discussion of research needs at a strategic level ensuring that organisations and practitioners in the future have the relevant information to make informed business decisions.
In order to obtain this information a consultation exercise (including consultation workshops in London and Durham and a WaPUG sponsored feedback workshop in Coventry) was undertaken to ascertain guidance and future research requirements.
Attendance of the workshops included those primarily involved with the design and management of SUDS. Professionals from local authorities, regulators, consultancies, research organisations and the construction industry were represented at the events. Outputs from the workshop can be obtained from the links below:
DOWNLOAD: Briefing note on requirements for SUDS guidance
DOWNLOAD:
Briefing note on requirements for SUDS research
If you have any queries please contact Paul Shaffer.