The Common Man’s

Guide to Sustainable
Urban Drainage Systems
(SuDS)

Rain Gardens
 What is SuDS?

*Image credit susdrain via Flickr

SuDS is an approach to reap

maximum benefit from surface water
runoff while reducing the negative
impacts. This is achieved through a
sequence of techniques (harvesting,
storing, infiltrating, slowing, conveying
and treating) that together form a
management train, mimicking natural
cycle.
 What are Rain Gardens?

A small garden of native vegetation in

a shallow depression to soak in
rainwater – used as a source control.
Why is it different from a traditional garden?

*Image credit susdrain via Flickr

The main function of a rain garden is

to treat and infiltrate rainfall runoff.
The soil is therefore altered to
increase infiltration. When garden fills
up, excess water is re-directed to a
drainage system.
Constructed on a lower ground, rain
gardens are designed to collect runoff
from lawns, driveways and roofs.
 What are the benefits?

• Groundwater recharge
• Reduced flood risk
• Improved water quality
• Aesthetically pleasing
• Recreational space
• Environmental awareness

*Image credit susdrain via Flickr

 What are the advantages?

• Minimal land requirement

• Easy to build and maintain
• Flexible fit for landscaping
• Adaptable for different soils
• Curb urban heat islands

What are the disadvantages?

• Low volume impact

• Not suitable for steep slopes
• Not suitable at places of high
water table
• Not suitable for heavy clay
 Site selection

Select a low ground within existing

lawn or garden.
Locate it at least 10 feet away from
the building.
A spot with a gentle slope should be
preferred to create a level perimeter.
Avoid shaded areas.
 Planning

Plan how the rain garden would

receive flows from your driveway or
roof. A swale (shallow grassed
channel) can connect flows from the
roof pipes to the garden.
Plan where the overflows should drain
to - this could be an existing drain.
Carry out a percolation test – dig a
25cm deep hole and fill it with water.
If the water level drops by 5cm per
hour, the site is suitable for rain
garden.
If your soil is clayey, it will need
improvement. Check the soil by
squeezing a palm full and if it stays
intact, it is clay.
 Construction

The approximate area of a garden,

150mm deep, can be estimated as
20% to 25% of the roof and the
paved area that will be connected. A
3m to 5m width may be adopted.
Mark the outline on the ground, using
a rope.
Dig out the garden, in saucer shape,
with a depth of 150mm to 450mm at
the center.
Keep the base flat for infiltration and
make sure the perimeter is flat using a
spirit level.
 Construction

Use the excavated soil to build a berm

along the perimeter, approximately
100mm high and at least 300mm
wide.
Cut through the berm to make a
channel of 150mm width to allow the
excess flows to flow through to an
existing drain.
Use pebbles, bricks or gravel to line
the overflow and inlet channel.
Alter the excavated soil by adding coir
fiber, compost, shredded paper or
charcoal to make it absorbent and
free draining. Use more gravels and
stones, if the soil is clayey.
Mix the soil thoroughly.
 Construction

Backfill the soil into the excavated pit,

to the original ground level. The berm
will provide a freeboard.
Now the garden is ready to plant.
You can also use a metal, concrete or
plastic planters, with a drainage hole
at the bottom. Downpipes can empty
into the planter.
Planters should be filled with gravel at
the bottom for a depth of 50mm.
Fill the remainder with free draining
soil.
An overflow pipe at the rim of the
planter will divert the flows to an
existing drain.
 Planting

Plant native species that will create

habitat for insects like bees and
butterflies.
Plant wider range of species, using
potted plants that have grown strong
root system.
Keep taller plants to the middle.
You may also grow vegetables.
Avoid plants susceptible to root rot.
Use grass on the perimeter berm.
Plants should be watered until the
garden is established.
 Maintenance

Litter and trash should be removed

from time to time.
Inlet & overflow channels and pipes
should be maintained and cleaned.
Occasional watering and weeding is
necessary.
 About the author

Anish Cletus is an Incorporated

Engineer (IEng, MICE, UK) with 18
years of experience in the water
industry. He has a passionate curiosity
for learning and to inspire the next
generation of civil engineers.
 Disclaimer

Although the author have made every

effort to ensure that the information in
this book was correct, the author do
not assume and hereby disclaim any
liability to any party for any loss,
damage, or disruption caused by
errors or omissions, whether such
errors or omissions result from
negligence, accident, or any other
cause.

© 2019 Anish Cletus

All rights reserved. No portion of this
book may be reproduced in any form
without permission from the author.