SWITCH Training Kit: Module 3B – Sustainable Urban Drainage Module 3: Exploring the options SWITCH Training Kit Module 3B: Sustainable Stormwater Management An overview

SWITCH Training Kit: Module 3B – Sustainable Urban Drainage The issues facing urban stormwater management Changing weather patterns due to climate change Increased urbanisation Fragmented management structures Inadequately designed and maintained infrastructure

SWITCH Training Kit: Module 3B – Sustainable Urban Drainage Links between stormwater management and other areas of the water sector Water supply Wastewater management Water treatment Water quality

SWITCH Training Kit: Module 3B – Sustainable Urban Drainage Links between stormwater management and other sectors of urban management Roads and transport Solid waste Parks and gardens Land-use management Housing

SWITCH Training Kit: Module 3B – Sustainable Urban Drainage The conventional approach Combined sewers Concrete drainage culverts, channels and pipes Disposal of stormwater directly into rivers, lakes and coastal waters

SWITCH Training Kit: Module 3B – Sustainable Urban Drainage Drawbacks of the conventional approach to stormwater management Increased downstream flood risk Erosion and sedimentation Overflows in combined sewer systems Pollution of receiving water bodies Waste of a valuable resource

SWITCH Training Kit: Module 3B – Sustainable Urban Drainage A more sustainable approach

SWITCH Training Kit: Module 3B – Sustainable Urban Drainage Structural SUDS (such as swales, ponds, porous paving and green roofs) Non-structural SUDS (such as site planning, pesticide and fertiliser management, and public education and awareness raising campaigns) A more sustainable approach (SUDS) Options include:

SWITCH Training Kit: Module 3B – Sustainable Urban Drainage The concept of Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD): Stormwater attenuation and retention River restoration Combining water infrastructure with landscape design Embedding water management into existing urban and regional planning Incorporating water recycling facilities into urban architecture A more sustainable approach (WSUD)

SWITCH Training Kit: Module 3B – Sustainable Urban Drainage Benefits of sustainable urban drainage solutions and WSUD Flood control Pollution control Protection against erosion Aquifer replenishment Alternative source of water Amenity value Climate change adaptation

SWITCH Training Kit: Module 3B – Sustainable Urban Drainage Why the non-conventional approach is more sustainable Social sustainability Economic sustainability Environmental sustainability Amenity value Reduced flood risk Reduced treatment and pumping costs Reduced flood risk Protection and enhancement of natural habitats Reduced pressure on natural water supply sources

SWITCH Training Kit: Module 3B – Sustainable Urban Drainage Structural SUDS

SWITCH Training Kit: Module 3B – Sustainable Urban Drainage Non-structural SUDS

SWITCH Training Kit: Module 3B – Sustainable Urban Drainage Acknowledgements Ralph Philip and Barbara Anton ICLEI – Local Government’s for Sustainability based on the joint efforts of the following SWITCH partners: Alison Duffy (University of Abertay), B. Ellis (Middlesex University), Chris Jefferies (University of Abertay), M. Revitt (Middlesex University), L. Scholes (Middlesex University), H. Sieker (Ingenieurgesellschaft Prof. Dr. Sieker mbH), B. Shutes (Middlesex University), M. Soutter (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), J. Eckart (HafenCity University, Hamburg), W. Holste (Middlesex University), H. Langenbach (HafenCity University, Hamburg), G Schröder (HafenCity University, Hamburg), I. Wagner (Technical University of Lodz) The UNESCO-IHE led SWITCH project runs from Feb to Jan and is part- financed by Directorate General Research of the European Commission under the Sixth Framework Programme. For more information see This presentation has been produced as part of the SWITCH Training Kit by: