In addition to controlling surface water run-off, elements of SUDS such as swales (see opposite) can also make a positive contribution to habitat diversity, amenity and the richness of landscaping on ...

Catesby Property Group now owns the largest sustainable urban drainage system (SUDS) in the UK, integrated within a 52 hectare mixed-use commercial site. But ten years ago it was a different story.

Swales and infiltration basins These are ground-level ponds or depressions that use vegetation to filter surface water. Swales disperse water and provide temporary storage during storms; infiltration ...

Even the use of swales (often considered a relatively compact Suds technique) is often curtailed because of their influence on the width of highway corridors. An emphasis on flood risk management and ...

A lot of digging is required, so you may want to organize a bio-swale party to lighten the labor. Step One: Mark It. Ditches are designed to carry water away, which means they are sloped downhill.

If you have watched part one of this series, you would have a good idea of what a swale is. In this video from https://www.theweedygarden.com , my permaculture teacher Geoff Lawton visits the ...

After spending $3 million on its "quarter-round" project to improve drainage, Sebastian 1½ years ago began using city workers to clean out swales. So far the program has proved effective.

Swales collect rainwater, mitigate flooding, filter out pollutants, sediment and toxins, prevent erosion and provide a natural area for storm runoff. They must be maintained to function properly.

Our research group at North Carolina State University has studied these types of alternative swale plantings and found that they remove pollutants, such as nitrogen and sediment, more efficiently ...