Lesson 20-Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS)

Question 1

Flooding in South Yorkshire 2007

Answer 1

• 2 deaths
• 1,200 houses flooded
• 1,000 buisinesses affected
• 13,000 people had no power for two days

Question 2

Flooding in South Yorkshire 2019

Answer 2

• Similar magnitiude to 2007 but as the council had invested in flood defences in Sheffield, flooding was minimal, such as Meadowhall
• But was more servere further down the River Don due to less defences

Question 3

SUDS

Answer 3

• New approach to managing floods that consists of using natural processes in the landscape to reduce flooding and provide amenity for the community
  -aims to slow down the flow of water and to store it where possible at gound level-improves water quality and decreases risk of flooding

Question 4

1) What features do SUDS include?
RR

Answer 4

• Roofwater is collected in water butts instead of being transferred straight into drains-water is stored for an interval
• Rain falling on roads or paths soacks through permeable block pathing-filters pollutants from water and is slowed from reaching the river

Question 5

2)What features do SUDS include?

Answer 5

• Swales are linear grass covered depressions.
• Detention basins are artificial ponds.
  -During light rain each will contain a little water, but during heavy rainfall they can fill completely for a short period

Question 6

CASE STUDY SUDS-Manor Fields, Sheffield

Answer 6

• Located 2 miles approximatley from city centre
• On one of Sheffields seven hills, rain that falls here quickly enters the river
• Increasingly known as a “hidden gem” as its a haven of wildlife just 10 mins from the city centre

Question 7

Strategies of SUDS at Manor Fields

Answer 7

• Swales/Retention Basin/Ponds-will fill up and hold water, slowing how bfast it reaches the river
• Wildflower meadows-attracts variety of insect and pollinating species
• Runoff-large trench that will remove pollutants from water and also slow the runoff
• Management-paths are mowed to allow people to navigate through the park instead of cutting it all
• Regeneration of habitats-careful management has had hedgerow habitats regenerate; small birds, insects, amphibians and small mammals

Question 8

Overview of environmental sustainability at Manor Fields

Answer 8

• SUDS have been very successful
• Has seen an increase in butterfly and bird species, thanks to the variety of nesting sites>increase in migrant song birds

Question 9

Positive impacts of the SUDS in Manor Fields

Answer 9

• The site allows for the capture and retention of rainwater through the use of swales and retention basins
• 90 bird species live here, around 5-6 times the biodiversity of a ‘regular’ park
• Water and air quality are cleaned due to the vegetation in the park

Question 10

Negative impacts of the SUDS in Manor Fields

Answer 10

• Monor Fields cant just be a standalone project as declining wildlife species and flood risk needs to be addressed across Sheffield
• Upper course land use has led to deforestation and poor interception, problems need addressing at eahc course
• Recent budget cuts have led to some of the park being neglected