Skip to main content

Treatment Train’ SuDS tool for surface water quality

An innovative tool aims to help users explore the options for designing and building a surface-water ‘Treatment Train’ as part of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS). The new, free-to-use Treatment Selection Tool, available at www.hydro-int.com/stormtrain/tool, has been developed by Hydro International in response to tougher environmental and planning requirements for SuDS that remove silts, sediments, oils and pollutants from surface water runoff.
November 11, 2013 Read time: 2 mins
An innovative tool aims to help users explore the options for designing and building a surface-water ‘Treatment Train’ as part of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS).

The new, free-to-use Treatment Selection Tool, available at %$Linker: 2 External <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 0 0 0 oLinkExternal www.hydro-int.com/stormtrain/tool Hydro stormtrain tool false http://www.hydro-int.com/stormtrain/tool false false%>, has been developed by 1402 HYDRO International in response to tougher environmental and planning requirements for SuDS that remove silts, sediments, oils and pollutants from surface water runoff.

To achieve required water quality on a new development, car park or highway, multiple stages of SuDS features may need to be used in sequence to achieve a so-called Treatment Train.  This approach is already established as the preferred method in Scotland, and proposed new National SuDS Standards for England and Wales are expected to follow a similar pattern when they become law in April 2014.

Alex Stephenson, director of Hydro’s UK Stormwater division, said, “Many people who have a responsibility for designing, building or approving Sustainable Drainage Systems are currently developing their knowledge and understanding of surface water treatment best practice.

“We decided to develop a simple tool that can be used by anyone to investigate the full SuDS toolbox, selecting from both manufactured devices and natural features to build a treatment train. The tool then helps users to understand how well each combination would perform and the likely costs involved.”

With the Treatment Selection Tool, users can specify the catchment type and receiving water body and then investigate ‘what if’ scenarios to build example treatment trains. The tool helps users understand the pros and cons of choosing different SuDS features. The tool calculates the consequent pollutant removal achieved, as well as working out capital and whole-life cost implications.

HYDRO International has developed the tool to support the launch of ITS Hydro StormTrain Series of surface water treatment devices. However, the tool provides objective choices encompassing the full range of SuDS techniques and is based on established standard independent industry guidance.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • CPA publishes new ‘Competence to Operate Construction Plant’ guidance document
    May 19, 2014
    A new Strategic Forum Plant Safety Group guidance document on ‘Competence to Operate Construction Plant’ has been published by the UK-based CPA (Construction Plant-hire Association). The new ‘Competence to Operate Construction Plant’ document aims to clarify methods for employers to manage, develop and record employees' competences to operate all types of plant. The HSE and CITB were key participants, alongside a wide range of other organisations. The guidance covers management of training and management o
  • Getech launches new centrifuge for sludge dewatering
    February 26, 2013
    Getech, which says it is among the leaders in the drilling, quarrying and aggregate recycling industries for the water and silt management systems, is introducing its largest model of high performance centrifuge for sludge dewatering in the construction industry. “We have built up extensive knowledge in the last 20 years of processing silts from aggregates, dewatering sludge from the construction of foundations, from quarries, from sand and gravel washing and also recovery of bentonite from weighted mud in
  • IRF develops e-learning approach
    August 28, 2013
    Enhancing the sustainability of road planning, construction and operation has long been one of IRF Geneva's priority themes. With the call for greener construction practices increasing worldwide, IRF is helping to both encourage and inform this evolution through an authoritative new online resource. Developed by the New Zealand Transport Agency, the ‘Environmental Management and Urban Design online learning tool’ offers a comprehensive series of learning modules, particularly targeted to the needs of tr
  • Preventing toxic run-off from roads
    May 15, 2019
    An innovative sustainable drainage material is said to offer a simple and versatile solution to removing toxic heavy metals pollution from highways. Developed by the water infrastructure systems provider SDS Limited, SDS Aqua-Xchange is a versatile and efficient granular material that captures copper and zinc in surface water runoff from motorways, trunk roads and other high-traffic areas. SDS Aqua-Xchange is an engineered treatment media that can be used to meet the UK’s Sustainable Drainage Systems (S