SuDS - Sustainable Drainage Systems

 

Copy-Ready Wording

Use this paragraph in SuDS documentation where post-occupation behaviour or maintenance risks are discussed.

The Self-Sustaining Garden programme is not part of SuDS design or hydraulic performance. The programme can, however, provide residents with simple, practical guidance that helps protect soil structure, vegetated cover and surface-water pathways within private gardens. This reduces post-occupation behaviours that can compromise infiltration capacity, introduce silt or block flow routes, supporting the long-term function of SuDS components.

 

What SuDS Requires

To perform effectively, SuDS rely on:

• Uncompacted, permeable soil
• Vegetation that supports infiltration, evapotranspiration and filtration
• Protection of shallow overland flow routes
• Prevention of siltation, blockage and disturbance
• Careful management during early establishment
• Behaviour that does not alter design intent

SuDS performance is sensitive to how residents treat adjoining garden areas.

 

What the Programme Does Not Do

The SSG programme:

• Does not create SuDS features
• Does not provide drainage modelling or engineering functions
• Does not replace a SuDS Maintenance Plan
• Does not secure long-term SuDS management obligations
• Must not be used to evidence runoff rates, volumes or water quality treatment

 

How the Programme Supports SuDS Delivery

Although not part of SuDS design or verification, the programme can help maintain the conditions that SuDS rely on during occupation.

It helps residents:

• Avoid soil compaction that reduces infiltration capacity
• Maintain vegetated cover that supports infiltration and slows surface water
• Reduce behaviours that increase silt, debris or garden waste entering SuDS components

These behaviours support the ongoing function and resilience of SuDS components within the wider drainage strategy.

 

Where It Can Be Referenced

The programme may be referenced in the supporting narrative of a SuDS Strategy, Drainage Statement or Maintenance and Management Plan, particularly where resident behaviour is identified as a risk to long-term performance.

It should not be referenced in design calculations, hydraulic modelling, attenuation volume justification, impermeable area assessments or any section demonstrating hydraulic performance.

 

Do’s and Don’ts
Do:

• Reference the programme when discussing post-occupation risks to infiltration, vegetation or flow routes
• Position it as a resident-facing measure that supports the resilience of SuDS components
• Distinguish it from engineered drainage features

Don’t:

• Imply that it improves runoff rates, volumes or treatment performance
• Describe it as part of SuDS construction or modelling
• Reference in design calculations, hydraulic modelling, attenuation volume justification, impermeable area assessments or any section demonstrating hydraulic performance
• Suggest it replaces formal SuDS maintenance requirements