As our climate changes, the number of heavy rainfall events is increasing. This is increasing the threat of extreme flooding in the County. To help tackle this South Dublin County Council is using Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) to reduce the risk of flooding, water pollution and biodiversity loss.

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 forthcoming County Development Plan 2022-2028 to ensure SuDS are incorporated into future development in the County. The guide includes advice for multiple SuDS solutions, including using tree pits for water attenuation in the public realm. To complement this guide, a SuDS Householder’s Guide has been developed dedicated to solutions for around the home, with a supporting video for the householder’s guide.

To support the incorporation of SuDS into new developments, dedicated training has been delivered to Council staff. A workshop for external developers, engineers, and landscape designers involved in SuDS design is also slated for delivery.