The Challenges

Flooding and climate change are increasing, creating a concerning rise in floodwater damage. To protect against the damage caused by excess water overwhelming standard drainage systems, more developers are turning to SuDs (Sustainable Drainage Systems).

Over 200 students set to descend on the halls in September 2018, the developer needed a solution that could be installed quickly and could fit into the tight space left by a derelict car dealership. It was clear that traditional stormwater solutions would not be sufficient. These systems fail to mitigate the impact of high levels of surface water. Traditional systems can potentially make flooding worse in other parts of the local area, as water is directed away from access points.

The system would also need to be flexible to make use of the limited space of the site. The developers needed a modular system that they could customise to the shape and size of the space available.

The Solution

Stephenson Construction worked with Wavin, who recommended the use of an engineered solution specifically designed to support the infiltration and attenuation of stormwater. The installation would provide a place to store excessive groundwater away from the halls for later controlled release.

Wavin’s Q-Bic Plus infiltration system, with integrated and bespoke Wavin Vortex valves was selected. The system is a specialist sustainable urban drainage solution consisting of a series of tanks buried underground.

Designed to mimic natural systems by managing stormwater, the system works by collecting excess water from across a site and storing it until it can be released in a controlled manner.

The modular nature of the Q-Bic Plus system, with integrated connectors incorporated into each unit, meant that the engineers working on the design for the new halls had considerable freedom to devise the most effective drainage solution.

The result was a network of more than 140 Q-Bic Plus units installed beneath the halls, arranged into five different tank configurations, optimising storage capacity. The system will be connected to the guttering on the final build, as well as the drains for the local area, ready to collect excess groundwater during extreme weather events.

Testimonial

"Wavin’s customer service and products far outstripped our other supplier options as they provided bespoke solutions that addressed our need for speed and maximising the use of the small space we had. We were able to work efficiently, saving time and costs, by having a 3D model from Wavin of the full attenuation system – Vortex valves included – meaning we were able to plan with minute accuracy. The products themselves solved the issue of our space restrictions, with Q-Bic Plus allowing both regular and irregular shaped tanks to be constructed. Wavin helped us to make what could have been a near-impossible task straight-forward, quick, and effective."

Stephenson Construction