Rainwater harvesting is important in a Sustainable urban Drainage System (SuDS) strategy because it helps manage rainfall at its source by collecting and reusing water before it enters the drainage network.
Integrating these systems into a SuDS strategy provides several distinct benefits and functions:
- Control at Source: Collecting rainwater where it falls keeps the storage local, slows runoff and alleviates the pressure on traditional stormwater systems.
- Preferred Approach: Current standards make rainwater harvesting a priority consideration for new planning applications and developments.
- Complementary: These systems are often paired with other nature-based SuDS features such as permeable paving and hydroplanters to filter pollutants and promote local biodiversity.
- Combined Attenuation: Advanced systems combine harvesting tanks with stormwater attenuation. They hold water for daily use while utilizing built-in smart overflows to release excess stormwater gradually during heavy rain events
How the Process Works
- Rainwater Collection: Water is captured at source, typically from roofs or permeable surfaces, reducing the amount of runoff entering overloaded drainage and sewer systems.
- Pre-Treatment: Before storage, the collected water passes through filtration systems that remove leaves, sediment, and other debris to maintain water quality and system performance.
- Storage and Attenuation: The filtered water is stored in above-ground or underground tanks, which may be linked to larger attenuation systems. This temporary storage helps manage stormwater volumes and reduces peak flow rates during rainfall events.
- Water Reuse: Stored rainwater can be reused for non-drinking purposes such as toilet flushing, washing machines, and landscape irrigation, reducing demand on mains water supplies.
- Overflow Management: When storage capacity is exceeded, surplus water is directed through an overflow system into other SuDS features, such as soakaways, swales, or rain gardens, where it can be safely infiltrated or managed at a controlled rate.
Find out more about a range of Rainwater Harvesting solutions
Civils Store is a leading provider of SuDS Rainwater Harvesting solutions including RainCell™, harvesting kits, SuDSplanter and filter chambers.
To view these products click the link below.
