Sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) are designed to help prevent surface water flooding. This is achieved by reducing the speed at which water can enter the drainage network. These systems typically include a holding area, often in the form of an underground tank, which will collect the water during a storm. Within the tank system, mechanisms will release the stormwater at a manageable rate to prevent the drainage network receiving runoff from the development from becoming overwhelmed.
During periods of rainfall, the tanks will accumulate water and release it gradually at a controlled rate instead of allowing peak flows to enter the downstream drainage system.
Surface water flooding is becoming an increasing concern, particularly as new developments modify greenfield, permeable land into impermeable surfaces. This issue is further exacerbated by climate change, which is causing storm events to become more intense and frequent. Both of these factors can lead to significant increases in stormwater runoff volume and higher peak flows, demonstrating the need for SuDS attenuation and treatment systems such as ADS StormTech.