Using surface water as a resource

Using surface water runoff as a resources to contributes to water sensitive urban design (WSUD) and the philosophy of integrating the water cycle within the built environment.

Capturing and using rainfall or surface water within the built environment is beneficial because it helps manage local flood risk and uses water within communities to sustain landscape, provide an additional source of water or simply improve the beauty of place or space.

Rainfall is likely to be even more valuable in the future, as water becomes more scarce as a result of climate change, rising population and urbanisation.

Using surface water runoff as a resource can provide amenity benefits as well as water quantity (too much/too little) benefits. For example, SuDS can be design to support areas for water play and urban horticulture, providing recreational, education and health and well-being benefits.

Using SuDS to encourage infiltration is another way of protecting water resources, as this can potentially contribute to recharging aquifers and support groundwater.