SUDSDON’T

DON’Ts

 DON’T use existing ponds, wetlands or ditches for

A DOs and DON’Ts GUIDE
for PLANNING and DESIGNING
SUDS treatment.
 DON’T use attenuation tanks for water quality treatment. Sustainable Urban
 DON’T install end-of-pipe filter drains/infiltration
trenches, swales or soakaways for >5 houses, unless
additional SUDS treatment is provided upstream.
Drainage Systems (SUDS)
 DON’T design filter drains/infiltration trenches with a
bypass at the inlet.
 DON’T insert inlet pipes at the base of filter
drains/infiltration trenches - insert at high level.
 DON’T use filter drains/infiltration trenches where the
water table is shallow
 DON’T incorporate gulley pots in permeable paved areas.
Further information
 DON’T allow construction phase run-off to enter SUDS Please contact your local SEPA office for further information
unless it is intended that the SUDS will be replaced or or visit the following websites:
restored. Temporary treatment systems separate to the
www.sepa.org.uk/wfd
SUDS should normally be provided.
www.ciria.org.uk/suds
 DON’T use infiltration based SUDS for industrial estate
drainage unless a groundwater risk assessment (prior
investigation) has been undertaken and shown to be 1 ‘Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems – Design Manual for Scotland and
acceptable. Northern Ireland’ (CIRIA Report C521) and its successor ‘The SUDS
Manual’ (CIRIA Report C697 - to be published).
 DON’T use infiltration based SUDS on contaminated land, 2 ‘Sewers for Scotland 2nd Edition – a Policy, Designed Construction
unless the system is impermeably lined. Guide for Developers in Scotland’ (WRC - to be published).

 DON’T drain run-off from ‘high risk areas’ to the surface

3 The Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations
2005 Schedule 3 ‘General Binding Rules’ (Activities 10 & 11) and
water drainage system (e.g. oil, chemical and waste associated guidance.
storage areas, delivery and refuelling areas, industrial
yards, wash areas etc).

For developers, landowners, planners,

consultants, architects and engineers
SUDS
Who is this leaflet for?
This leaflet is aimed at anyone involved in the planning or
design of SUDS schemes. This includes developers, landowners,
planners, consultants, architects and engineers.
What is it for?
This leaflet provides a quick checklist of DOs and DON’Ts to
consider when planning and designing SUDS. This leaflet
should be read in conjunction with the main reference sources
for the design of SUDS1, 2 and is not intended to replace these
more detailed documents.
DOs General
 DO allow sufficient landtake for SUDS when planning the
site layout (typically 5-7% of the site area but can be
DO
significantly less if source control techniques are used).
 DO use a surface water management train.
 DO use source control, even when regional facilities
are provided
 DO minimise impermeable areas and encourage as much
infiltration as possible (except for certain industrial estate
drainage and on contaminated land – see list of DON’Ts).
 DO avoid pipes where possible - use swales or
open ditches.
 DO attenuate run-off to pre-development values.
 DO produce a maintenance schedule and ensure that a
nominated person/body is clearly responsible.
 DO design SUDS for wildlife and amenity (e.g. by
providing ponds and wetlands).
 DO provide site operators/new householders with written
information on the SUDS system you have provided and
how it works.
DOs Specific
 DO use porous surfacing for driveways and parking areas
or allow run-off to shed to adjacent land.
 DO use sheet flow to direct water into infiltration
trenches, filter drains, filter strips and swales rather than
gulleys and pipes.
 DO use slotted pipes for filter drains in preference to
flexible perforated pipes.
 DO use unsealed disconnecting manholes with porous
base and walls where suitable.
 DO use water butts to attenuate roof drainage.
 DO allow access for maintenance (e.g. for
mowing swales).
 DO use silt traps upstream of SUDS where appropriate.
 DO prepare a method statement detailing the pollution
prevention measures to be used during the construction
phase of any development.
 DO ensure inlet and outlet structures are adequately
designed to prevent erosion within the SUDS.
 DO check for wrong connections during construction and
on completion of the development.
What are SUDS?
SUDS mimic natural systems for draining surface water and
include porous surfaces, soakaways, infiltration trenches, filter
drains, filter strips, swales, detention basins and purpose built
ponds and wetlands. As well as treating polluted surface water
runoff, SUDS provide attenuation of surface water to reduce
the impact of flow on watercourses. Well designed SUDS can
make a positive contribution to the amenity and wildlife value
of a site.
Legal Requirements
The main legislation covering the regulation of surface water
discharges is the Water Environment (Controlled Activities)
(Scotland) Regulations 2005. Through SEPA’s implementation
of these regulations, certain categories of surface water
discharge automatically require an application for a licence.
For example, housing developments >1,000 houses, > 1,000
car park spaces, industrial estates and motorways.
All other discharges of surface water, as a minimum, require to
comply with the General Binding Rules (GBRs) for surface
water discharges which specify a requirement to provide SUDS
or equivalent (with an exemption for single dwellings and
discharges to coastal waters3). If in doubt as to whether or not
a licence is required, contact your local SEPA office.
Inappropriately or wrongly designed SUDS found to be causing
pollution, or pollution arising during the construction phase of
development, may result in SEPA taking enforcement action
including a requirement to carry out remedial work and/or
referral to the Procurator Fiscal for prosecution.