What are SUDS?
SUDS are Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems.
These are commonly found in many larger, modern developments in Scotland and consist of a series of retention pools, tanks, pods or swales, which capture and divert any water run-off. This allows the excess water to percolate back into the water table.
The purpose of SUDS is to:
- Decrease flow rates to rivers, streams or drains
- Reduce risk of flooding during heavy rainfall
- Improve water quality
- Enhance the amenity and biodiversity value of the environment, and water management
If the Title Deeds specify that owners are responsible for the SUDS, Ross + Liddell will manage SUDS on behalf of owners, which involves maintaining the verge and/or perimeter land surrounding the SUDS. This typically includes:
- Litter picking and debris removal
- Grass gutting
- Vegetation + plant management
- Management of maintenance access tracks
- Reinstatement of edgings, such as hedging or fences
Scottish Water are responsible for the SUDS themselves, once the SUDS are vested with them, including:
- Inspection of inlets, outlets and control structures
- Silt control and removal
- Inlet, outlet or outfall repair
- Pipework, infrastructure and erosion repairs
- Pollution incidents
Where SUDS are present within a development, we will write to owners on this, outlining responsibilities and Scottish Water adoption.