FH WETLAND SYSTEMS Ltd.

Stormwater is the rainwater that runs off roofs, car parks, roads, pavements and yards. It can be surprisingly polluting due to contamination by petrol and diesel spills and drips, grit, mud, soiling by cats, dogs and birds, and spilled food and other material. The flow from paved surfaces is also much more erratic than from woodland, farmland or garden. By using constructed wetlands and flow buffering ponds, the water can be filtered to a high quality and is also discharged at a more even rate, helping to prevent floods and droughts further down the stream catchment.

Wetlands act as sponges in the water environment, soaking up surplus rain during wet weather and releasing it slowly during dry weather. This is the principle behind Sustained Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS), which are designed to counteract the rapid runoff from paved surfaces in towns and new developments. In this way, purpose built constructed wetlands for stormwater treatment can be designed to prevent small streams near new housing estates, roads or yard areas from being overwhelmed during downpours and drying out during prolonged dry spells.

Stormwater Management