While flood defence schemes have an important role to play in protecting property from the impacts of flooding, the preferred option are nature-based solutions.
Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) use natural and semi-natural measures to absorb water in an urban environment.
SuDS can support biodiversity, cool the air in summer heatwaves, and are visually attractive. Eventually, SuDS release their water into rivers, lakes, or the surface water drainage network.
A SuDS Working Group was established within in the Council, a key output of which has been the development of the Sustainable Drainage Explanatory Design and Evaluation Guide. The guide supports the Council’s County Development Plan 2022-2028 to ensure SuDS are incorporated into future development in the County.
We are delivering SuDS demonstration sites in parks and new developments:
- Attenuation Wetlands/Ponds can be found in Griffeen Valley Park in Adamstown and Vesey Park in Lucan. They receive surface water from nearby roads and housing developments, filter it, and then drain it at a controlled rate into the Griffeen River. Not only this, but they are also a visual amenity supporting biodiverse wildlife.
- In Dodder Valley Park, the pavilion sports a Green Roof, a natural planted surface replacing the traditional roof that can absorb rainwater. A grassed Swale, or ground depression, slows the flow of surface water from the car park, which itself is a hybrid grass/concrete mix.
- In Tandy’s Lane Park, walkways and car/bike parking areas are a Grass Paving system, allowing surface water to percolate into the ground, thereby mimicking nature, while Swales, Filter Drains and Detention Basins help to slow and store water.
Households can also help, and for this a SuDS guide for householders has also been developed, with accompanying video.