Q.No.

3
The problem:

Increased downstream flood risk as a result of the run-off from roofs and paved areas. This causes
sudden rises in flow rates and water levels in local watercourses. Rainwater diverted to piped systems
reduces the amount of water soaking into the ground. After heavy rain, water flushes rapidly with
concentrated peak flow through the drainage system and cause downstream flooding.

Remedial Measures:

1. Detention ponds should be constructed to store excess volume of run-off. Detention storage
attenuates the peak floods by storing excess water in case of heavy rainfalls.
2. SuDs or Green Drainage techniques should be utilized to store and/or reuse the run-off water.
SuDs are best because.
 Manage runoff volumes and flow rates from hard surfaces, reducing the impact of
urbanisation on flooding
 Provide opportunitiesed for using runoff where it falls
 Protect or enhance water quality (reducing pollution from runoff)
 Protect natural flow regimes in watercourses
 Are sympathetic to the environment and the needs of the local community
 Provide an attractive habitat for wildlife in urban watercourses
 Provide opportunities for evapotranspiration from vegetation and surface water
 Encourage natural groundwater/aquifer recharge (where appropriate)
 Create better places to live, work and play.
3. Green or Sustainable Drainage Systems (SUDS) are designed with three objectives in mind:
• to control the quantity and rate of run-off from a development;
• to improve the quality of the run-off;
• to enhance the nature conservation, landscape and amenity value of the site and its
surroundings.

SUDS deal with run-off as close to its source as possible and balance all three objectives, rather than
focussing only on flood prevention.

Green Drainage structures are given below:

Green Structures:

• Downspout Disconnection

• Rainwater Harvesting

• Rain Gardens

• Planter Boxes

• Bioswales

• Permeable Pavements

• Green Streets and Alleys

• Green Parking
• Green Roofs

• Urban Tree Canopy

• Land Conservation