SuDS Solutions at work and a new garden at RHS Bridgewater

What was delivered

Since its inception in 2021, United Utilities have been working with RHS Bridgewater to provide advice surrounding sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) and rainwater management. A key example of this is the site’s car parks, which have permeable surfaces. This permeable paving works in tandem with other SuDS mechanisms at Bridgewater such as swales and a bioretention pond.

United Utilities have also sponsored the installation of a garden at RHS Bridgewater, designed and built by award winning garden and landscape designer, Leon Davis. The Garden of Resilience helps to showcase how different SuDS methods can be utilised to provide a more climate resilient space. The garden includes a green roof, helping to slow down rainfall flow by 50 percent, which is part of a rainwater-harvesting system that captures and directs water to a rain garden planter, water feature and water butt bench.

What was the impact

Moving towards permeable paving is increasingly important for rainwater retention, as concrete is seen as a less viable material due to its inability to absorb and retain rainwater. The permeable car park at RHS collects water-run off which is directed to a detention pool. With the ability to hold up to a day’s worth of rainfall, this detention pool slows down the rate at which water enters our sewer network, particularly during high rainfall events.

The partnership between UU and RHS promises to show improvements to rainwater management at a large scale, whilst also inspiring the public through small, meaningful changes in how they view rainwater through information boards and themed messages.

To find out how RHS Bridgewater is working with nature, you can see their article here: Working with nature at RHS Garden Bridgewater / RHS