SUDSNet Meeting 30th November 2005

SEPA and SUDS Research Activities

Neil McLean

Brian D’Arcy

Total Score

0

5

10

15

20

25

Scor

e

Questionnaire Performed

“to help obtain a consensus of what the main issues members consider should be addressed in the field of SUDS over the next year”

3 Clear areas for consideration with more than half total score

Other areas not forgotten, but decision to take forward Construction (22%) Road Runoff (19%) Source Control (11%)

SEPA and SUDSWP(Sustainable Urban Drainage

Scottish Working Party)

•Construction Inspection & Guidance

•Road Runoff

•Source Control

Issues Considered Most Important by SUDSWP

SEPA Well Represented on SUDSWP (Chair and Sect plus 3)

SEPA’s interests agree with outcomes of SUDSWP Q’s

Several areas to concentrate on;

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1. Automobiles as a source of Pollution

2. Fate of Pollutants in soft engineered/infiltrating systems

3. Review of Screening Tool

4. Assessing SUDS after agreement of Proposal

5. Green Roofs

6. Roads/Highways and SUDS use

7. Pond/Wetland Size

1. Automobiles as a Source of Pollution

Greenpeace quote, “If car manufacturers were focused on efficiency, we could already have cars that do 100 mpg.” Mark Strutt, Greenpeace

But more than just fuel use; Brake linings – Cu Tyre compounds – PAHs outlawed

in Sweden Diesel - particulates including PAHs Lubricants and fluids – PAHs,

metals, HCs International initiative to address this;

Papers sought for IWA conference Istanbul, September 2006

2. Fate of Pollutants in Infiltrating Systems

To what extent do pollutants migrate into sub-base of facilities

Is this a problem? - Groundwater risks Pollutants;

Oil PAHs Toxic metals Pesticides Nutrients

Experimental approach; Lysimeters Swales, Filter Strips & Basins

?

3. Guidance for SEPA Staff

What amounts of urbanisation to become risk to environment? More nutrients evident in urban catchments

than agricultural areas Whole-river catchment pressures How do different SUD systems meet

environmental needs? Review GIS based “Screening Tool” for predicting

pollutant losses for anywhere in Scotland(Project spec to be drafted)

Requirement for methodology to enable users to assess design proposals

Industrial estate case study - good environmental practice – MUCL Project Willingness to consider SUDS retrofits Pollution prevention awareness Waste minimisation

4. Inspection of SUDS –Post approval assessment

Study performed by SEPA staff to look at 10 sites after approval by SEPA – during post construction; 4 as agreed 2 with maintenance schedule 1 maintenance carried out 2 owner not determined

Further SEPA inspections hoped for Other/joint agency inspections

Building control Scottish Water Planning authority SEPA

Imperative to oversee construction and implementation

5. Green Roofs

Raise awareness of green roofs Flood Mitigation for small/intense

storms Pollution scavenging prospects Biodiversity possibilities

Hope that SEPA can have its own green roof

More knowledge required; What storms can be captured? Antecedent condition Pollutant removal/containment Biodiversity conservation

6. Roads/Highways Initiative –encourage LA confidence in SUDS

General “entrenched” position of LAs roads depts to consider adopting SUDS

Scot Exec “ have been using filter trenches for decades”

Need to provide more confidence for officers to approve SUDS; Pervious/Porous paving Roadside swales Basins/ponds/etc

Top-down approach – Changes in guidance required – DMRB Local interpretation Adoption

Bottom-up approach – Changes in Understanding Demo sites Local evidence adoption

7. Ponds/Wetlands Size & the use of Vt

Original thought that residential catchment is lower risk and need basins – not ponds/wetlands

Larger ponds for longer residence time to allow nutrient uptake

Also need for v. high risk sites, e.g. industrial estates

Paper presented to IWA More discussion this afternoon

Conferences

Roads/Highways conference June 2006?

SUDSNet Conference Source control? 2006

IWA Diffuse Pollution Conference Istanbul, September 2006

Happy Christmas