📍 Surface Water Storage Design – Sustainable Drainage Solutions (SuDS)
Effective surface water storage design is essential for managing rainwater runoff and preventing flooding in both residential and commercial developments. As climate change increases rainfall intensity, it’s critical that construction projects integrate Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) to reduce the risk of surface water flooding and improve long-term water management within new developments.
At Paddick Engineering, we specialise in surface water drainage design, providing SuDS-compliant solutions that meet UK planning regulations, control stormwater runoff, and minimize the risk of site flooding.
💧 What Is Surface Water Storage Design?
Surface water storage design refers to the planning and implementation of systems that capture, store, and slowly release rainwater from developed areas such as:
- ✅ Housing developments.
- ✅ Commercial sites.
- ✅ Car parks and road networks.
- ✅ Industrial facilities.
The aim of surface water storage is to prevent:
- 🚫 Surface water flooding.
- 🚫 Soil erosion.
- 🚫 Excessive water runoff into public sewers.
By incorporating SuDS-compliant designs, we help developments meet local authority requirements while reducing environmental impact.
💡 What Is a Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SuDS)?
A Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SuDS) is a surface water management solution designed to:
- ✅ Mimic natural water drainage processes.
- ✅ Reduce the risk of surface water flooding.
- ✅ Improve water quality by removing pollutants from runoff.
- ✅ Enhance biodiversity and green infrastructure.
Common SuDS solutions include:
- Permeable paving – Allows rainwater to infiltrate naturally.
- Attenuation tanks – Temporarily store surface water before discharging it slowly.
- Swales and detention basins – Provide natural water storage and filtration.
- Soakaways – Infiltrate rainwater directly into the ground.
💧 Why Is Surface Water Storage Design Important?
Effective surface water storage design is crucial for reducing flood risk and complying with UK planning regulations. Poor drainage planning can lead to:
- 🚫 Surface water flooding.
- 🚫 Sewer overloads.
- 🚫 Increased site runoff, causing erosion or environmental damage.
By integrating surface water storage solutions, you can:
- ✅ Reduce surface water runoff.
- ✅ Minimize the risk of local flooding.
- ✅ Enhance biodiversity through green infrastructure.
- ✅ Meet planning and building regulations (SuDS Compliance).
📊 How We Calculate Surface Water Storage Capacity
At Paddick Engineering, we use industry-leading software and engineering methodologies to calculate the required surface water storage capacity for your development.
✅ 1. Determine Impermeable Surface Area
We assess the total hardstanding area (roofs, driveways, parking areas) that generates surface water runoff.
✅ 2. Calculate Stormwater Runoff Rate
Using rainfall data, we calculate the maximum stormwater runoff rate during:
- 💧 All year storm events.
- 💧 Urban Creep
- 💧 Climate change adaptation scenarios.
✅ 3. Calculate Storage Volume Required
Based on runoff rates, we calculate the required surface water storage volume (attenuation) to prevent flooding. This may include:
- ✅ Attenuation tanks.
- ✅ Oversized pipes.
- ✅ Underground crate systems.
- ✅ Balancing ponds or detention basins.
✅ 4. Design Controlled Discharge Rate
We calculate the appropriate discharge rate (litres per second) to prevent overloading public sewers while allowing controlled surface water release. This is in line with the LA and local water authority restrictions.
This ensures that your development:
- ✅ Meets planning conditions.
- ✅ Avoids flooding on-site or nearby areas.
- ✅ Reduces pressure on local drainage infrastructure.
💦 Our Surface Water Storage Design Services
We offer comprehensive surface water storage design services, including:
💧 1. SuDS Design & Planning Reports
We produce SuDS Drainage Design Reports for:
- ✅ Planning applications.
- ✅ Building control approvals.
- ✅ Environment Agency compliance.
💧 2. Attenuation Tank Design
We design and size attenuation tanks to control:
- ✅ Surface water storage capacity.
- ✅ Peak flow reduction.
- ✅ Controlled discharge rates.
💧 3. Flood Risk Assessments (FRA)
We provide Flood Risk Assessments (FRA) and Drainage Strategy Reports for developments in flood-prone areas.
💧 4. Discharge Consent Applications
Where surface water discharge requires consent from:
- ✅ Local water authorities.
- ✅ Lead Local Flood Authorities (LLFA).
- ✅ Environment Agency.
We handle the full discharge consent application on your behalf.
🏗 Why Choose Paddick Engineering for Surface Water Drainage Design?
Here’s why Paddick Engineering is a trusted partner for surface water drainage design:
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| 💦 SuDS Compliance | All designs are compliant with Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS). |
| 📏 Accurate Storage Calculations | We ensure correct attenuation volumes and discharge rates. |
| 🏢 Planning Approval Support | We provide drainage reports tailored for planning applications. |
| 💻 Specialist Software | We use MicroDrainage, Causeway Flow, and WinDes for accurate calculations. |
💬 Need Expert Surface Water Storage Design?
If your development requires a surface water drainage solution or SuDS design, our team of drainage engineers can deliver:
- ✅ Fully compliant drainage storage calculations.
- ✅ Professional SuDS Design Reports for planning.
- ✅ Cost-effective solutions that reduce flood risk.
📞 Contact us today for a no-obligation consultation.