SUSTAINABLE URBAN DRAINAGE SYSTEMS: ADDRESSING FLOOD RISKS AND WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT IN FLOOD-PRONE AREAS

Abstract

This study investigates the effectiveness of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) in addressing flood risks and water quality management in flood-prone urban areas. Focusing on five cities that have implemented various SuDS techniques, including permeable pavements, green roofs, detention basins, and swales, the research evaluates the impact of these systems on flood risk reduction and water quality improvement. Results show that SuDS techniques significantly reduced flood events, with cities such as City B experiencing a 70% reduction in flood events and City A mitigating 60% of runoff volumes. All field projects showed declining nutrient and heavy metal along with sediment concentrations particularly in City E which recorded a remarkable 73% decrease in silt levels. A survey found that SuDS solutions received endorsement from more than 75 percent of urban designers because of their track record.   Research shows that SuDS results in different cities differ according to their environmental settings together with their individual uptake rates which shape the final outcome of their systems.   The study demonstrates an urgent necessity to develop comprehensive implementation solutions that involve both educational programs and dependable financial resources as well as extensive social support needed for SuDS adoption in urban development projects.   The findings indicate that SuDS technology improves water quality which benefits city flood protection while enabling more sustainable urban growth.