SUDS Soakaways and pervious pavements
Due to our changing climate flooding is becoming an increasingly regular phenomenon and overloading of sewage treatment plants a risk for the environment. Soakaways and pervious pavements are examples of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) that deal with excess rainwater in urban areas or proposed developments. SUDS replicate as closely as possible the natural drainage of a site.
The SUDS approach means the inclusion of materials to slow run-off, attenuate collected water and anage discharge to either drainage systems, water courses or into the natural soil. Geosynthetics can be used in the construction of many aspects of the SUDS.
The purpose of a soakaway is to either hold water as it permeates into the natural soil, or to create a pathway to a soil with higher permeability to allow water to drain more freely. These can be vertical or horizontal with the most well-known version of the SUDS being the horizontal “milk crate” soakaway placed under a pavement. Enka-Tex is used to wrap the crates as a filter to stop the ingress of soil or other particulates that will affect the long-term performance of the soakaway. By stopping the ingress, the need for maintenance is reduced and a constant flow or volume of reduction can be maintained.
Pervious pavements are used to control water running from surface to drain on large hard landscaped areas for instance car parking areas or concrete cellar roofs. This requires a material that allows flow underneath the surface to enable drainage to soil or soakaways. The use of Enkadrain, which maintains flow even under substantial loads is of great benefit. A filtering fleece as part of the Enkadrain composite prevents any aggregate in the water from entering the core. Furthermore, the thickness of Enkadrain also allows for attenuation in the event of unexpected levels of water being present, allowing a managed flow and discharge.
Permeable paving allows for the passage of water from the surface into managed drainage. The use of Enkadrain ensures a consistent flow volume of water even under loading.
If the permeability of soil is low, attenuation crates can be used to store water before it is drained which reduces the risk of flooding at the surface. Enka-Tex is used to form a separation and filtration layer that will stop the ingress of soil or other particles that would reduce volume or performance of the crates.
Functions:
- Drainage
- Separation
- Filtration
Relevant products:
