Servicios de Abastecimiento y Saneamiento - La Tribuna del Agua

SERVICIOS DE ABASTECIMIENTO Y SANEAMIENTO
SUSTAINABLE URBAN
DRAINAGE SYSTEMS (SUDS)
Sara Perales Momparler
ABSTRACT:
Institutions in some of the most advanced
countries in the world have, in the last few years,
begun to recognise the many benefits from facing
management rainwater from an unconventional
perspective – tending towards sustainable
development and in harmony with the environment.
From this, the Sustainable Urban Drainage
Systems (SUDS) have emerged powerfully. Their
objective is to resolve both problems of quantity
and of quality of urban runoff, minimising
the effects of urban development and maximising
landscape integration and social and environmental
values in the programmed actions.
This document describes the main techniques
included in this innovative way of undertaking more
efficient rainwater management (a natural resour-
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ce not to be undervalued in the times of scarcity
facing us) and its advantages with respect to traditional
systems. In addition, there will be an overview
of the SUDS implementation process around
the world and the challenges presented by impelling
a general change in trend in water management.
Likewise, specific actions already undertaken
(or in motion) will be shown in terms of research,
planning and SUDS construction projects in Spain.
KEYWORDS:
Rainwater, pollution, urban runoff, Sustainable
Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS), Best Management
Practices (BMPs).