Retrofit Suds Scheme Alleviates Flooding on Site

In 2012 Dŵr Cymru (Welsh Water) committed a £15 million investment in Llanelli and Gowerton to help alleviate the risk of flooding in the area through the adoption of retrofit SUDS, or Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems, that utilize greenspace and trees to prevent flooding byallowing rain to soak into the ground or slowly re-enter local water courses rather than entering the sewer system. One of the first sites for the implementation of this plan is Stebonheath Primary School, the first school in the UK to have a sustainable surface water scheme retrofitted, for which Welsh Water committed a £500,000 investment for the creation of a sustainable playground.

As integral components of the retrofit scheme, Silva Cells were specified on the school’s playground to act as modular soil storage that helps to drain the catchment area and reduce surface water, while also providing soil to grow two large central trees. Two areas of Silva Cells were installed in a two layer system for the two new trees planted on the site of the playground, One has a catchment area of approximately 240 square meters, and the other has a catchment area of approximately 130 square meters. Water enters the system via well-defined kerb cuts that gently direct the water into the tree openings.

An impermeable liner was installed around most of the site in order to keep the water within the system. In order to alleviate potential overflow, an emergency underdrain was also installed, resting inside the Silva Cell structure on the frame at base. A 350 m² thrust block/ concrete surround was cast in place around the standpipe connection to the underdrain.

The site posed very specific requirements regarding the selected tree species, which needed to be able to handle periods of inundation as well as drought. Betula nigra “Heritage” trees were selected because of their high soil moisture tolerance and resistance to the bronze birch borer, a wood boring beetle that has killed other trees in the area.

Through this innovative system of water management installed at Stebonheath Primary School, a precedent has been set in the United Kingdom that demonstrates how a retrofit SUDS installation can not only combat climate change and flooding, but can use trees in order to create a site that is both a welcoming greenspace and playground, as well as a functional workhorse that works with nature to give promise to a sustainable future. As Carmarthenshire County Council Executive Board Member for Technical Services, Cllr Colin Evans told Welsh Water:

“The authority are very pleased to be working with Dwr Cymru Welsh Water and other partners in delivering solutions to problems brought about by climate change; this scheme is innovative and a sustainable solution, one of a number required to meet challenges brought about by changes in our environment while also accommodating economic growth.”

Installation Summary
Average soil volume per tree: 12.5 m³ (440 ft³)
Number of Trees: 2 (in Silva Cells)
Total Silva Cells: 88 frames, 44 decks
Installation Date: August2014
Installation type: Integrated – Trees and Stormwater
Project Site: Plazs
Project Designer: ARUP–Cardiff
Contractors: Morgan Sindall Group