How to make SuDS Planters engaging? Try bright and engaging features such as rain clouds, boat races in water pipes?, Bespoke water flow diverters?, Cascading water flows?, Bio Habitat features?, colourful murals, school children's artwork and more!

Project summary

Meristem Design is collaborating with East Sussex County Council (ESCC) to deliver bespoke Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) installations across schools in the Eastbourne and Southern Wealden region. The initiative is part of the Blue Heart programme, supported and funded by Defra, Southern Water, Environment Agency, Flood and Coastal Resilience Innovation Programme (FCRIP) and the Department for Education. The goal is to mitigate the significant surface water flooding risk in the urbanised area while educating students on sustainability, water management, and climate resilience.

Goal

The SuDS for school projects aims to address surface water flooding in the school environment through innovative, co-designed SuDS features such as vibrant SuDS planters to remove rainwater from overburdened drainage systems. Through engaging pupils in the importance of sustainable water management, the Blue Heart programme also aims to foster a generation of environmental stewards.

Scope

The Blue Heart: SuDS for Schools programme aims to install Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) in a total of 32 schools across Eastbourne and Southern Wealden. These bespoke installations address each school’s unique environmental needs, while fostering student engagement and climate education. The project is being delivered in multiple phases over several years. Phase 1 and 2 are complete and we are currently working on Phase 3.

Challenges

Blue Heart’s study area of Eastbourne and Southern Wealden is considered to be at significant risk of surface water flooding. This flood risk is heightened by heavy urbanisation, combined drainage systems that are over capacity, flood damage and extreme weather conditions. 

Solutions

The SuDS for Schools project is more than just installations; it’s about engaging students with water, sustainability and the importance of our resources. With the design of the bespoke SuDS systems inspired by school pupils, the installations help engage the children through vibrant and interactive features. Meristem have installed multiple SuDS planters designed to capture and filter rainwater runoff, preventing flood risk and improving water quality. The new green spaces help to enhance the aesthetics of the school grounds while supporting local wildlife through additional features such as plant covered pergolas and bold coloured custom planters. 

Fun and playful planters

The SuDS planters include bright and engaging features such as rain clouds, boat races in water pipes?, Bespoke water flow diverters?, Cascading water flows?, Bio Habitat features?, colourful murals, the pupil's artwork and more!

Rainwater harvesting systems

The SuDS systems reduce runoff and encourage water conservation, teaching students the importance of reusing resources, reinforcing sustainability principles

Educational enrichment

By participating in the co-design process, students develop a sense of ownership over their new school's resilience solutions

Biodiversity and green spaces

The SuDS planters are filled with pollinator-friendly, hardy and native plants, enhancing biodiversity

Impact

Overall, the Blue Heart: SuDS for Schools programme not only mitigates flood risks but also nurtures a generation of informed, empowered, and environmentally conscious individuals who will lead the way in building resilient communities.

Community engagement and empowerment

Engaging students and communities ensures that the principles of sustainability and flood resilience are integrated into daily life, inspiring future climate leaders in the pupils

Flood resilience

By diverting surface water from overloaded drainage systems, SuDS planters reduce the risk of surface water flooding. This protects school grounds and surrounding neighbourhoods from flood damage during extreme weather events

Improving sustainability awareness

By demonstrating the benefits of rainwater harvesting and sustainable drainage, the project promotes water conservation and reduces dependency on traditional drainage infrastructure

Environmentally focused behavioural change

The project encourages a shift towards more sustainable practices, inspiring students and their families to adopt environmentally friendly behaviors and contribute to climate resilience efforts.