Drainage Design

We provide tailored drainage designs and strategy reports for developments of all sizes. Find out more here.

FPS Environmental are a team of industry-leading civil engineers, flood risk assessors and drainage design consultants.

The importance of drainage design has previously been overlooked within development projects; however, it is now a key component within any planning application. At FPS Environmental, we tailor the project scope to the client’s requirements, providing specialist drainage designs for developments of all sizes.

Sustainable Drainage Design

Sustainable drainage design is the process of designing and engineering systems to manage and control the flow of water in a specific area. The goal of sustainable drainage design is to reduce the risk of flooding, protect property and infrastructure, and maintain the natural hydrological processes of an area.

Drainage design typically includes:

Site assessment and catchment review, to include a topographical study, review of existing drainage network and connectivity, flood risk, and ground cover (e.g grass, hardstanding etc).
Development reviews to understand the end user requirements for the site.
Potential site investigatory works such as an infiltration test to determine if soakaways are suitable.
Modelling, via computer systems such as Microdrainage or Infodrainage to design and model the new drainage network, ensuring its suitability for the site.

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Our Clients

What Is A Drainage Strategy?

A drainage strategy is a plan that outlines the measures and actions that will be taken to manage and control the flow of water in a specific area. The drainage strategy should appropriately manage risk, ensure runoff is not exacerbated, whilst maintaining a site’s natural hydrological processes.

A drainage strategy typically includes

Identification of potential flood risks and drainage problems
Analysis of existing drainage infrastructure and its capacity
Outline potential solutions, best management practices and regulations
Prioritisation of actions and implementation schedule
Monitoring and maintenance plan

There are different approaches for drainage strategies, such as

Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) and green infrastructure, which mimic the natural drainage process and reduce the impact of development on existing drainage networks. This may include green roofs, permeable paving, swales and balancing ponds.
Traditional drainage systems, which use engineered infrastructure such as gulley pots and underground pipes to manage and control water flow. Under new regulations, SuDs will become mandatory for all new developments and the ability to connect to existing drainage systems with surface water will be limited. You can learn more about the implementation of mandatory requirements here: Sustainable Drainage Systems | Schedule 3.

Regardless of the drainage strategy approach, it must be tailored to the specific needs and characteristics of the site, and must consider factors such as the type of land use, topography, climate, and associated regulations.

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Drainage Strategy Reports for Planning

The design and coordination of drainage strategies must meet the criteria set within the national and local planning guidance. Obtaining planning permission is a critical milestone in any project and a compliant drainage strategy is a key part of this.

For developers, a big shift is the introduction of mandatory SuDS for new developments. SuDS were previously optional, and many developers opted not to use them because of budget or area restrictions. With the new rules, however, all new developments—regardless of their scale or location—will need to include SuDS.

At FPS Environmental, we have a deep knowledge of the planning system in relation to above and belowground drainage, and can work with you to design a system which meets all of the specific requirements of the planning authorities.

Foul Water

Sewer Connections and Discharge Consents

At FPS Environmental, we assist in drainage connection and adoption applications which are required by the local water authorities which own, manage and maintain the public sewer networks.

We can also assist with pre-planning enquiries which are recommended initial consultations with the water authorities to determine whether or not they have the capacity to receive the flows from the proposed development.

Below-Ground Drainage Design (surface, foul, combined, lab, land)

FPS Environmental cover all aspects of below-ground drainage design, from concept to construction, including drainage strategy reports, design drawings, specifications and 3d modelling (BIM). We can design any type of below-ground drainage system to suit the site requirements and constraints, with a focus on delivering peak design performance and cost efficiency.

Sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) are a key part of surface water drainage solutions, providing water quality improvements and other environmental benefits such as reducing pollution, and increasing biodiversity. SuDS can help manage and reduce flood risk along with helping to combat the effects of climate change. SuDS form part of the National Planning Policy Framework and are required by local authorities for surface water drainage strategies submitted for planning approval. Incorporation of SuDS is also required in order to achieve certain BREEAM credits. At FPS Environmental we can provide innovative design solutions for sustainable drainage systems, from concept to planning and through to detailed design for construction.

For surface water drainage we can also design attenuation, flow controls and soakaways (where the site conditions allow for infiltration).

Some common types of SuDS include; rain gardens, filter drains, bioretention areas, detention basins, ponds, swales, permeable paving, geo-cellular tanks and rainwater harvesting tanks. We can also help with the specification and coordination of blue, green and brown roofs.

Speak With The Team

020 8050 3194

enquiries@fpsenvironmental.co.uk

Other Services

Please see below a snapshot of some of the other services we offer:

Specifying Foul Pumping Stations for development
Private drainage diversions
Public drainage diversions i.e. Section 185 agreement works (with local water authority
Drainage build-over agreements (with local water authority)
Soakaway sizing and design
Specifications for infiltration testing
Specifications for CCTV Drainage survey
Pump and emergency storage sizing
Existing drainage network capacity checks and reporting
Pre-development applications (with local water authority)
Section 106 applications (with local water authority)

Client Testimonials

Here are some of our latest testimonials from satisfied customers. If you'd like to discuss your requirements further, please don't hestitate to get in touch.

Hannah Rogers

FPS Environmental were great to work with. They responded immediately to my initial enquiry and followed up quickly with a quote. A very friendly, efficient and professional service. Thanks!