Author(s): F. A. Memon; D. Vodan
Linked Author(s):
Keywords: Sustainable drainage systems; Life cycle analysis; Stormwater management; Swales; Filter drains; Detention basins and retention ponds
Abstract: This paper briefly describes a methodology and its implementation to investigate the environmental performance of sustainable drainage systems (SUDS). A formal life cycle analysis (LCA) was carried out for different SUDS techniques in conveyance systems category (e.g. swales and filter drains) and site control measures (e.g. retention ponds and detention basins) and results compared with a conventional stormwater drainage system. SUDS were designed using Wallingford Procedure for a synthetic site (consisting of a large warehouse and a car park) located to the west of London (in the center of the UK Hydrological Region 6). Detailed inventories were developed to quantify materials in the construction and the use phases of SUDS. LCA was performed for the construction, use and disposal phases using established techniques. The results indicate that of the investigated SUDS types, swales have the least impact followed by site control measures. Filter drains were found to have the highest impact. However, when compared with the environmental performance of a conventional drainage system, the SUDS composite provision (i.e. combination of conveyance systems (swale) and site control measures) offered considerably lower environmental impact. It appears that the selection of materials for SUDS construction and their eventual disposal route has considerable impact on their overall environmental performance.
Year: 2009