Since publishing my last paper at the end of 2024, research on the impact of 6PPD and its derivative, 6PPD-quinone (6PPD-q), on fish, mammalian, and human health has made considerable progress. As a brief overview, 6PPD is a common tyre additive and is therefore released into highway water runoff in environmentally significant concentrations. 6PPD is […]
Stormwater treatment involves removing pollutants from stormwater runoff using various techniques to improve water quality before it flows into receiving water bodies or is even reused for other purposes. Why is stormwater treatment needed? Climate change is changing the natural hydrological system with more frequent and intense rainfall predicted for the UK. Couple this with […]
The Hidden Sources of Pollution in Our Stormwater Systems When road pollution is discussed, attention usually focuses on vehicle emissions, tyre wear particles, brake dust and fuel leaks. While these are undoubtedly significant sources of contamination, they are not the only pollutants entering our rivers, lakes and oceans through stormwater runoff. The roads themselves, and […]
Permeable Pavement Systems (PPS) are one of the most widely used Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) techniques in the UK. They are commonly incorporated into residential developments, car parks, public schemes and low-speed roads to reduce runoff volumes, provide source control and improve water quality. Unlike conventional (impermeable) pavements, PPS allow rainfall and surface water runoff […]
Understanding PAHs in Stormwater Runoff Stormwater runoff is a significant pathway for pollutant transport into receiving water bodies. Among these pollutants, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a main concern in stormwater treatment, due to their persistence and toxicity in our environments. Particle Size Distribution (PSD) aids in determining how PAHs behave- in terms of their […]
This article compares in detail the Welsh and English SuDS Standards for Sustainable Drainage Systems. Note this review is based on information available in March 2026. SuDS (Sustainable Drainage Systems) are implemented to manage the surface water runoff from a site in a sustainable way that mimics the natural drainage processes. While both Wales and […]
Water scarcity is no longer a future risk it is a present reality and one of the UK’s top five climate threats. As an industry leader in rainwater reuse, we see first-hand how rapidly the regulatory, commercial and environmental landscape is changing. Water reuse is moving from a specialist solution to a mainstream requirement. That […]
Stormwater management involves managing both the quantity and quality of surface runoff. An appreciation of a site’s Particle Size Distribution (PSD) is crucial for effective stormwater quality management. The PSD influences sediment transport, settling rates and determines the effectiveness of treatment systems in terms of capturing, retaining and so permanently removing contaminants found in stormwater […]
As new housing estates are developed, large areas of land are converted into impermeable materials, including roads, roofs and driveways. With the growing population in the UK, the demand for housing increases, contributing to greater urbanisation. The proportion of impermeable surfaces present in urban areas has increased from 37% in 2001 to 46% in 2022 […]
The new SuDS standards in England were published by the Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) on the 19th of June 2025. They are a welcome step in improving the management of surface water drainage and the pollution from water run-off in England. These non-statutory standards for Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) are for […]
