A collaboration between Sudsplanter Ltd and the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) is helping to develop new insights into sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) and their role in reducing urban flooding.
The partnership includes three projects focused on flood prevention, sustainable drainage research and the use of locally sourced materials in water management infrastructure.
The first initiative involved a pilot project in the Craigleith area of Edinburgh led by Scottish Water. The scheme installed water butts and Sudsplanter rainwater planter systems at 27 residential properties to reduce the amount of rainwater entering the combined sewer network.
By capturing rainwater from approximately 1,363 square metres of roof space, the systems help prevent stormwater from flowing into sewers and reduce the risk of downstream flooding during heavy rainfall.
Scientists and horticultural specialists from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh were involved in selecting plant species suitable for the planters. The planting schemes were designed to absorb water effectively while remaining resilient under varying weather conditions.
Scottish Water project manager Ed Ptolomey said the approach demonstrates how nature-based solutions can support traditional drainage infrastructure.
“By utilising nature-based solutions like these to reduce the amount of rainwater that enters the public sewer system, we can reduce the frequency and severity of flooding from the sewer network when it becomes overloaded.”
Sustainable drainage systems research and plant performance
The Craigleith pilot is also contributing to academic research on sustainable drainage systems. PhD student Isla Kendall, from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and Heriot-Watt University, is studying how soil composition and plant selection influence water retention and drainage performance.
Sensors installed within the systems are monitoring soil moisture levels, plant health and the movement of water through the planters. The research aims to understand how different plant mixes affect system resilience under changing climate conditions.
Plants play an important role in SuDS by absorbing water into the soil and releasing it back into the atmosphere through transpiration, helping to regulate water flow during storm events.
Circular design using locally sourced materials
A third project explored the use of locally sourced materials in sustainable drainage infrastructure. Larch timber felled from the RBGE’s Benmore estate in Argyll was used to construct bespoke planters for a SuDS demonstration project at the garden.
The timber was initially processed in Scotland before being transported to Sudsplanter’s fabrication facility in Wales, where it was crafted into custom planter cladding. Transport logistics were coordinated using return-load lorries to reduce empty journeys and minimise carbon emissions.
The collaboration demonstrates how circular supply chains and nature-based drainage solutions can be combined to support sustainable urban water management.
More coverage of urban drainage and flood management initiatives can be found in the H2O Global News flooding section.
