Environmental Approach to Reducing Sewer and Surface Water Flooding

Scottish Water is using the natural environment to help reduce the risk of flooding affecting residential streets in the Milton area of Glasgow.

A new sustainable drainage system (SuDS) is being installed at Glentanar Road as a natural way to reduce the amount of surface water entering conventional drains and sewers.

Georgina Reid, Scottish Water’s corporate affairs regional manager in the west said: “Traditional drainage methods – culverts and our sewer network – are coming under increasing pressure because of climate change and urbanisation.

“Simply installing ever bigger pipes is not the answer and we must look to other approaches to deal with the increase in surface water due to climate change.

“Surfaces are effectively sealed by buildings and paving which prevents surface water from soaking into the ground, leading to increased run-off and potential for flooding.

“SuDS systems are an ideal way to lower flow rates, increase water storage capacity and reduce the transport of pollution to the water environment.”

A SuDS pond has been constructed at Glentanar Road to manage water run-off by storing large amounts of flood water.

The pond filters out pollutants and then discharges water at a controlled rate to a swale - a shallow channel with gently sloping sides - that will take the water to the nearby canal.

Georgina Reid added: “The causes of flooding are complex and certainly not simply about the size of the local sewer network.

“While Scottish Water is investing many millions of pounds upgrading our ageing infrastructure, we are also looking at utilising innovative and environmentally friendly alternatives.

The project is being delivered by alliance partner Caledonia Water Alliance (CWA) who are also using innovations in technology. A GPS enabled digger allowed the SuDS to be excavated accurately using the design plans uploaded to a tablet device fitted in the vehicle.

CWA communications manager Paul Milligan said: “The system allowed operators to create smooth, flat and sloped surfaces more easily by displaying a 3D model of the design over the ground itself. “This made the work more accurate, safer, and quicker, reducing the time to dig the SuDS pond by about half.

“This new water feature will not only help prevent flooding but also create greater wildlife biodiversity for the local community.”

The new drainage system is expected to be fully operational by the spring of 2024.