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The Use of SuDS for Infiltration
The use of infiltration in industrial areas should normally be avoided unless the risks of serious
pollution are assessed as being low.
There is a risk with steep sites that excessive use of infiltration might result in groundwater
reappearing at lower locations. Careful consideration of the soil characteristics and groundwater
depths is needed.
Treatment Train
In principle, the more SuDS used in a treatment train the better. Ponds should preferably not
be used as the first SuDS component for any paved runoff. Treatment will be more effective
and hydraulic benefits will also be gained.
Where commercial or industrial development is proposed, greater emphasis on the treatment
train will be required. It would generally be desirable to separate the systems serving these
areas from systems serving residential developments.
Where sites are very large, greater emphasis on treatment trains is needed to address the
increased risk of accidental pollution incidents.
Where developments drain to small streams, the impact of the development will be significant
on the watercourse and greater emphasis on treatment is needed.
2. Suitable SuDS Components
The following SuDS might be suitable components of the drainage system for the reasons
given:
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� Ponds
Ponds are suitable for this site.
Where industrial areas are served by ponds it is important to maximise the treatment process
and minimise the transmission of an accidental spillage. Ponds should therefore be designed as
multiple units if possible.
Ponds built in permeable soils may require liners to ensure the existence of the permanent
pool. The liner may be finished 100 or 200 mm lower than the outlet invert to encourage some
infiltration to take place. Design of this perimeter zone should maximise infiltration.
� Basins
Basins are suitable for this site.
Where industrial areas are served by a basin it is important to maximise the treatment process
and minimise the transmission of an accidental spillage. Basins should therefore be designed as
multiple units if possible and have control structures to prevent transmission of polluted flows
downstream.
� Pervious Pavements
Pervious pavements are suitable for this site.
Pervious pavements used in industrial areas need to consider the risk of pollutants. In most
situations it is likely that the permeable pavement will be lined to avoid the risk of infiltrating
pollutants. Experience has shown that great care is needed in making linings watertight due to
the practical difficulties of working on a site. Concrete block permeable pavements have been
used in industrial situations with heavy goods vehicles. However it is important to specifically
address the additional forces to avoid deformation of the pavement.
� Swales
Swales are suitable for this site.
The land take of swales is significant except for mini-swales. Although these SuDS components
are very effective, their use in high density developments may be precluded due to lack of
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28/09/2010
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