Sustainable Drainage Strategies (SuDS)

Meeting Mandatory Standards with Innovative, Site-Specific Solutions

Effective drainage is no longer just about pipes and pumps—it’s about mimicking nature. At Ellipsis Consulting Eningeers Ltd, we design Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) that manage surface water at the source, reduce flood risk, and enhance the local environment.

Whether you are navigating the 2026 SuDS mandates or seeking to maximize your developable land area, our strategies ensure your project is both compliant and cost-effective.

Why a Professional Drainage Strategy is Essential

Modern planning policy requires that new developments do not increase flood risk elsewhere. A formal strategy is typically required for:

• Major Developments: All schemes of 10+ dwellings or significant commercial floorspace.

• Minor Developments: Increasingly required by Lead Local Flood Authorities (LLFAs) for even single-plot builds.

• Pre-Acquisition: To determine if a site has the capacity to manage its own runoff before you commit to a purchase.

Our Comprehensive Approach to SuDS

We follow the "SuDS Manual" (C753) and the "SuDS Hierarchy" to ensure water is managed in the most sustainable way possible:

• Infiltration First: We assess if water can be soaked into the ground via soakaways or permeable paving, reducing the need for expensive connections to public sewers.

• Attenuation & Storage: Where infiltration isn’t possible, we design storage solutions—such as attenuation tanks, detention basins, or green roofs—to hold water during heavy storms.

• Controlled Release: We calculate "Greenfield runoff rates" to ensure water leaves your site at a natural, controlled pace, preventing downstream flooding.

• Water Quality: Our designs include treatment stages (like swales or reed beds) to filter pollutants before water enters the natural ecosystem.

Technical Services We Provide

Our engineers use industry-standard software (such as MicroDrainage or Causeway Flow) to provide:

• Outline & Detailed Drainage Designs: Full layouts and hydraulic calculations for planning submissions (RIBA Stages 2–4).

• Infiltration Testing: On-site BRE 365 soakage testing to determine soil viability.

• Exceedance Routing: Mapping where water will flow in extreme "1-in-100-year" storm events to protect buildings.

• Adoptable Drainage (Section 104): Designing sewers and SuDS to the standards required for handover to water companies.

• SuDS Maintenance Plans: Clear, long-term management schedules to satisfy "Management & Maintenance" planning conditions.

Why Partner With Us?

• Maximise Land Use: We specialise in "invisible" drainage solutions (like permeable sub-bases) that save valuable surface space for parking or landscaping.

• Regulatory Expertise: We maintain strong relationships with Lead Local Flood Authorities (LLFAs) and water authorities to ensure smooth approvals.

• Climate Resilience: Every design accounts for the latest Climate Change Allowances, future-proofing your development against increasing rainfall intensities.

Get a Drainage Strategy That Works

From initial feasibility to detailed construction drawings, we provide the technical clarity you need to get your project out of the ground.