Portsmouth City Council has taken a proactive and stylish approach to addressing urban drainage issues this winter. Partnering with GreenBlue Urban, raised planters have been installed in Drayton to help mitigate the impacts of heavy rainfall on the city’s aging sewer network.
The planters called SuDSPods (Sustainable Drainage System pods) were installed at a block of council-owned flats on Havant Road in August. The council’s estate services team, who oversee cleaning and landscaping of council blocks and communal areas, recommended this location to help reduce the risk of sewers in the area becoming overwhelmed during heavy rainfall.
SuDSPods temporarily store rainwater runoff from rooftops, gradually releasing it into the sewer network while simultaneously watering the plants. This innovative system helps reduce the frequency of wastewater releases into the sea.
Councillor Dave Ashmore, Cabinet Member for Environmental Services, praised the project, saying: “As a city with a largely Victorian sewer network, it’s important that we explore ways to prevent it from becoming overwhelmed at times of heavy rainfall. The SuDSPods not only do the job, but they look great too.”
SuDSPods are available in a variety of natural finishes and colours and feature plants chosen for their highly absorbent root systems, another benefit to their water management. Residents have already shared positive feedback, welcoming the attractive and functional additions to their block.
This forward-thinking scheme has been made possible through funding from the Environment Agency, with additional support from Portsmouth City Council’s coastal and drainage budget.