Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) offers an integrated approach to dealing with rainfall, that uses the landscape to protect development from flooding and prevent pollution, delivering a controlled flow of clean water that can be used for amenity and wildlife benefits.
We believe that Sustainable Drainage Systems should contribute to the quality and functionality of their host landscapes providing usable and attractive places for the local community or users to enjoy.
WSUD is an approach popularised in the Middle East and Australia where other aspects of water sustainability are considered within development. These may include treatment and recycling of waste water and providing more water security - particularly in areas of shortage.
Robert Bray Associates will always consider other aspects of water and energy sustainability and have integrated these initiatives into a number of our projects. Our first water management project and the first full treatment train SuDS project in the UK, Oxford Motorway Service Area, would be deemed a WSUD project today. This development features full surface water management with source control and multiple treatment stages alongside a lagoon waste water treatment system that recycled treated water back into the building for toilet flushing.