Soakaways: An Underground Solution for Preventing Flooding and Waterlogging in Your Property
Managing Garden Surface Water Sustainably: The Benefits and Drawbacks of Soakaways
Soakaways, a type of sustainable drainage system (SuDS), offer an eco-friendly solution for managing garden surface water. These underground structures are filled with gravel or prefabricated chambers that slowly disperse water into the surrounding soil.
The benefits of using a soakaway system are numerous. They recharge local groundwater instead of overloading municipal storm drains, making them suitable for sites without easy drainage discharge points. Soakaways are particularly effective when installed in permeable soils like sandy or loamy soils. They provide an on-site infiltration solution that can work well with other drainage features like channel drains or downspouts.
However, there are also drawbacks to consider. Soakaways do not work well in heavy clay or poorly permeable soil because water will not infiltrate efficiently, potentially causing waterlogging or failure of the system. Site conditions must be carefully assessed prior to installation to ensure viability and proper sizing. If the soil or space conditions are unsuitable, the soakaway may not prevent surface water drainage problems. Additionally, soakaways may require maintenance such as clearing blockages, and improper design can lead to localized flooding or groundwater contamination if connected to unsuitable drainage sources.
To ensure a soakaway is effective, it is essential to carefully consider the soil type and site conditions. A simple test can determine if the soil in a garden is suitable for a soakaway: if a bucket of water poured into a 300mm square, 300mm deep hole soaks away within about two hours, soakaways should work well in that garden.
When installing a new driveway, sufficient drainage and allowance for surface water run-off is often a planning requirement. Porous surfacings like gravel, permeable paving, or porous asphalt are the best driveway materials for reducing water run-off entirely. If a non-porous driveway material is used, surface run-off can be diverted to a soakaway.
Regulations allow for two alternative approaches to dealing with drainage on a property: running rainwater into a watercourse, pond, or stream (site-specific), or running it into a surface drain (likely to be the same drain network as foul water drains). Correcting the landscape to ensure the garden has a slight slope away from the house and other structures can prevent water accumulation.
Soakaways can support a number of downpipes on a property, but the size of the soakaway needs to be properly sized for the property to ensure it doesn't fail. Soakaways are a drainage system for surface rainwater run-off and can also be used to dispose of effluent from septic tanks.
The Polystorm Soakaway Kit is an example of a soakaway kit available online. Some kits include a silt trap to prevent blockage by leaves and debris. Having a soakaway can qualify a property owner for a soakaway rebate with a water company.
In summary, soakaways offer a sustainable and cost-effective solution for managing garden surface water in suitable conditions. However, they may not be effective or advisable in poorly draining or space-limited gardens. It is essential to carefully consider the soil type and site conditions before installing a soakaway.
References:
- Soakaway
- Soakaways: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
- Soakaways
- Sustainable drainage systems: Code of practice for surface water management in urban areas
- In the home-and-garden industry, contractors often recommend soakaways as an eco-friendly solution for managing garden surface water, built with gravel or prefabricated chambers that slowly disperse water into the surrounding soil.
- Soakaways provide numerous benefits, such as recharging local groundwater and offering a cost-effective way to manage surface water compared to traditional drainage systems.
- Planning is crucial when considering a soakaway project, as site conditions must be carefully assessed to ensure they are suitable for the ground type and space available.
- A homeowner may need to refer to environmental-science and finance resources to understand the costs and potential rebates associated with installing a soakaway and any necessary permits or regulations.
- Climate-change and renewable-energy guidelines are essential factors to consider during the planning phase, as using soakaways can help minimize the impact on the environment and support the growth of the renewable-energy industry.
- The data-and-cloud-computing field can also play a significant role in planning, as technology can help predict soil and site conditions and optimize the design and installation of soakaways.
- Although soakaways are generally beneficial, they may not work effectively in heavy clay or poorly permeable soil, potentially causing waterlogging or system failure.
- To avoid this, it is essential to choose a suitable location and size for the soakaway, which can be determined through simple tests like filling a hole with water and observing its absorption rate.
- When upgrading the home, incorporating soakaway systems into the project can help promote a more sustainable lifestyle, reducing the overall cost of managing surface water and minimizing the environmental impact.
- By installing a soakaway, homeowners can also improve the health of their gardens, as they will not have to deal with puddles or standing water, which can affect plant growth and attract pests.
