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A national suitability dataset for infiltration-based sustainable drainage systems

Abstract

The Floods and Water Management Act 2010, includes the provision for sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) which aim, in part, to reduce flooding and improve water quality. Infiltration-to-the-ground is a key SuDS component that can provide effective and practical opportunities for the attenuation of surface water, however systems must complement ground conditions to ensure effective drainage, stability of ground and protection against groundwater quality deterioration. This paper reports on the development of a national suitability GIS dataset that provides subsurface information that may be useful for the planning and design of effective infiltration-based SuDS, whilst also highlighting those circumstances where infiltration may cause unintended negative consequences including flooding or severe ground instability. The dataset focuses on four key themes: a) severe constraints that preclude infiltration-systems; b) subsurface drainage properties; c) vulnerability of groundwater from infiltration water and d) presence of geological hazards triggered by infiltration. The dataset is populated with a wealth of subsurface data, derived by the British Geological Survey (BGS), enabling rapid assessment of subsurface conditions

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